Summary AH-64 Apache crash at Fort Novosel kills flight instructor, injures student pilot. The cause of the crash is under investigation, with training flights continuing at the base. The helicopter has had past accidents, but continues to be a crucial asset in military operations.
A helicopter crash during a training flight in Alabama has killed one person and injured another. The AH-64 Apache crash - of which the cause is still under investigation - led to the death of the onboard flight instructor. AH-64 Apache crash kills one According to an AP News report, the Boeing AH-64 Apache crash occurred at around 13:40 local time on Wednesday during a routine training flight at Fort Novosel Army base, situated around 150km south of Montgomery, Alabama.
A statement from the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Novosel confirmed that the flight instructor, Daniel Munger, 46, died in the crash, while a US Army cadet sustained minor injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Maj. Gen.
Clair A. Gill, US Army Aviation Center of Excellence, and Fort Novosel commanding general, commented, "The instructor pilot, a contractor, was medically evaluated onsite and is deceased. Our primary concern is the welfare and health of the student pilot and care and concern for the family of the deceased.
" Munger was a retired Army Chief Warrant 3 (CW3) Officer, but continued to provide training as a contractor. Military officials have yet to provide an update on the cause of the crash, described as a "mishap", as the investigation is ongoing - as it stands, the base will continue operating training flights pending further updates. Fort Novosel is the US Army's main training facility for helicopter pilots.
It was previously called Fort Rucker and was renamed in 2023 after Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Michael J. Novosel. Along with the AH-64 Apache, other helicopter training flights at the base include the CH-47 Chinook and the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.
Apache crash history The AH-64 Apache has unfortunately been involved in several accidents in the past couple of years, including a high-profile midair crash over Alaska in April 2023 which killed three. In March of this year, two AH-64 Apache's crashed in the same month - one in Washington and the other at Fort Carson, Colorado - with all crew surviving. Just a month prior, two airmen were killed in Mississippi following consecutive Apache crashes, leading the Army National Guard to briefly ground the helicopter.
Since 1987, the Apache has played an integral role in conflicts around the world. As the home of hundreds of Apache helicopters, Fort Novosel, or Fort Rucker as it was called back then, has also witnessed crashes involving the type. According to a CBS42 report, the most recent occurred near Ozark in 2022, injuring two crew.
The twin-turboshaft Apache attack helicopter has been in service for almost four decades now and has seen plenty of action over the years . It was an important asset during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and was also used extensively in Afghanistan..
