A helicopter has crashed into a radio tower in Houston’s Second Ward district, claiming the lives of four people, including a child, Houston police said.
The incident occurred on the evening of October 20, 2024. The privately-owned helicopter, a Robinson R44 four-seater, departed from Ellington Airport (EFD), about 25 kilometers from the crash site. It is not yet known where the helicopter was heading.
Just before 20:00 local time, the helicopter went down and crashed along the district’s Engelke Street and North Ennis Street. It is believed to have hit the radio tower for local station KLTN 102.9, which reportedly lost signal at the time of the crash.
Video footage of the incident, which had been shared on various social media channels including X and Facebook, shows the helicopter, resembling a fiery ball, crashing on the ground, exploding and throwing out more flames upon impact.
At a local news conference, Police Chief J. Noe Diaz said that four people were on board, including a child, and that there were multiple deaths when the helicopter crashed.
The Houston Fire Department has announced the FAA will investigate the accident.