HOUSTON — A helicopter crashed into a radio tower, killing multiple people, including a child, near downtown Houston Sunday night, according to the Houston Fire Department.
HFD received a report around 7:55 p.m. of the crash near Engelke Street near Ennis Street and Navigation Boulevard, causing the fire to break out.
What we know right now
- Crash happened around 7:55 p.m. near Engelke Street near Ennis Street in the Second Ward
- Four people, including a child, on board the R44 aircraft died in the crash, their identities have not been released
- The helicopter was coming from Ellington Airport, but its destination remains unclear
- If you find debris, don’t touch it and call 911
- The FAA, NTSB, HFD, and HPD are investigating the crash
- FAA noted that the radio tower's lights had been reported as inoperable on Oct. 16
Houston Mayor John Whitmire, HFD Chief Thomas Muñoz, HPD Chief Noe Diaz, and DPS gathered for a news conference following the crash. Mayor Whitmire said the HFD was there within minutes.
“We got a fire station, 17, one of our major stations a block away,” he said. “They heard the explosion and responded. First ones on the scene were Houston fire to secure the area, make sure considerations for electricity, gas, and other provisions were taken care of. “
Officials confirmed all four people on the helicopter, including a child, died in the crash. Their names and ages have not been released. According to Diaz, family members haven't been notified yet.
"This is a tragic event tonight. A tragic loss of life," Diaz said.
The helicopter was an R44 private aircraft coming from Ellington Airport, about 17 miles from the crash site. At this point, it's not clear where the helicopter was going.
No outside structures were damaged. According to officials, the fire burned about 100 to 200 yards of grass near the site of the radio tower.
The fire was put out and there's no threat to the community.
Officials are asking residents that if they see components of an aircraft, don't touch them and call 911.
A witness told KHOU 11 News he was with some people at a restaurant nearby when they heard the crash. He said it sounded like fireworks or gunshots at first. He ran to try and help. When he got closer to the scene, he saw flames and big chunks of metal nearby homes. He originally thought it was a crane that had been hit.
"I didn't know if it was a chemical explosion or if there was, I don't know what had happened," said Eric Haney, who lives nearby. "So my immediate thought was just to get in my car and evacuate."
The Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, HFD, and HPD are investigating the crash.
Per an FAA NOTAM, the lights on the radio tower were reported as inoperable on Oct. 16.
Watch the full update from officials below: