Two killed after Black Hawk helicopter ‘explodes’ on Alabama highway

Two people have been killed after a Tennessee National Guard Black Hawk Helicopter crashed in a fireball on an Alabama highway while on a training mission. The UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter ‘exploded’ into a huge fireball on Highway 53 near Harvest at 3.30pm ET Wednesday. U.S. military officials confirmed to AP that the two people on board were killed after the aircraft slammed to the ground in the median of Highway 53, near Burwell Road, in the town of Harvest about a half hour north-west of Huntsville.

Footage from the scene showed thick, black smoke billowing from the crash site (pictured). The fire was quickly extinguished. Huntsville Emergency Medical Services said there were no survivors. It’s unclear where the chopper in question was stationed and who was on board. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said the helicopter ‘exploded on impact and was burning’ when firefighters arrived, adding ‘It’s a pile of rubble.’ DailyMail.com have reached out to Tennessee National Guard for comment but they did not immediately respond.

On their website the Tennessee National Guard state their state mission as: ‘To provide the Governor of Tennessee with units capable of performing missions in accordance with the Tennessee Emergency Response Plan.’ Adding that their purpose is: ‘To maintain an efficient, well trained, well-equipped and responsive military and civilian State and National Emergency Response Force ready to respond to any State or Federal mission.’ 

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong said in a tweet: ‘I’m deeply saddened by the fatal helicopter crash that happened in Madison County today. My heart hurts for those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and for their families as they learn of this news.’ Redstone Arsenal is a United States Army post and a census-designated place adjacent to Huntsville in Madison County. 

Leaders from the posting released a statement on Facebook stating they are aware of the incident. ‘Redstone Arsenal leaders are aware of reports of a helicopter incident near Highway 53 in Huntsville,’ the statement said. ‘First responders are on scene, and Redstone Arsenal is in full support of local authorities in their active investigation. ‘Initial investigations have determined that the incident is not connected to Redstone Arsenal assets, and we will continue to support community authorities as the situation develops.’ 

The deadly crash is likely to cause ‘heavy delays’ and police have asked motorists to find alternate routes due to a highway closure. The Alabama Highway 53 south to Jeff Road remains closed to traffic, as well as between Douglas Road and Alabama 53, according to MCSO. For the U.S. Military, the Army is the primary user of the Black Hawk helicopter with about 1,600–1,700 of different variants in use. Pictured: Map of crash in Harvest, Alabama.

The Navy has roughly 750 Black Hawk variants (mostly SH-60 or MH-60 Seahawks) while the Air Force has a little over 100 HH-60 Pave Hawks. The Coast Guard has around 40 HH-65 Pave Hawks and the Marine Corps has 8 VH-60 White Hawk. According to a Military.com: ‘The basic crew complement for the UH-60A is three: pilot, co-pilot and crew chief. The A model was designed to carry 11 combat troops in addition to a crew of three.’ 

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