An US Army Black Hawk helicopters crashed into a field on the campus of Texas A&M University. One crew member was killed and four others were injured.
A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training exercise at Texas A&M University, sending shockwaves through the campus On Monday, January 13, 2009.
The helicopter was carrying five people—four members of the Army National Guard and one ROTC staff member who was a recent Texas A&M graduate—when it fell abruptly back to the ground shortly after takeoff. The crash occurred on Duncan Field, an open area adjacent to Duncan Dining Hall.
University representatives indicated that a malfunction in the helicopter’s tail rotor is suspected to have led to a loss of control. Witnesses described the Black Hawk spiraling uncontrollably before descending rapidly and crashing into an open field. Wreckage was dispersed across the impact area and extended onto two nearby roadways.
First responders quickly transported the injured to surrounding medical facilities. Officials at College Station Medical Center reported that two individuals were in critical condition, while another was listed as stable. An additional घायल victim was taken to St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan, though their condition was not immediately made public. Authorities have not yet released the names of those injured or killed.
The helicopter was participating in ROTC Winter Field Training Exercises alongside approximately 190 cadets from Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets. Witnesses said multiple Black Hawk helicopters had been taking off and landing throughout the day as part of the training.