A helicopter crash in Houston’s Second Ward on Sunday night tragically claimed the lives of four people, including a child, after the aircraft slammed into a broadcast tower, causing a fiery explosion. The incident occurred near Engelke Street and North Ennis Street around 8 p.m., with the explosion audible at a nearby fire station less than half a mile away, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire.
The crash occurred while the aircraft was flying at 600 feet before colliding with the 1,000-foot-high tower. Investigations revealed that the tower’s lights were “unserviceable” at the time, according to CNN, with repairs scheduled by the end of the month, according to a FAA notice released just days before the incident.
The helicopter, a privately-owned Robinson R44, had departed from Ellington Airport, located about 17 miles south of the crash site, but its destination remains unclear. All four individuals onboard were killed, Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz confirmed.
Witnesses captured video showing fire crews urging bystanders to clear the area due to concerns over a nearby gas tank. By 9:30 p.m., the fire was no longer active, and authorities confirmed the surrounding residents were safe. Photos shared by the fire department depict the mangled communication tower collapsed behind a row of homes.
Mayor Whitmire described the incident as a “tragic loss of life.” Investigations into the cause of the crash are expected to follow.
The tower was home to TelevisaUnivision’s KLTN-FM and KAMA-FM, plus KCOH-AM. The stations were knocked off the air, according to Inside Radio, which noted it’s unclear if they are still silent or have resumed over-the-air broadcasting via backup transmitters.
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