A tragic helicopter crash in a Houston residential area resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a child, on Sunday night.
The Robinson R44 helicopter reportedly collided with a radio tower around 8 p.m. CT, as confirmed by officials. It was flying from Ellington Airport when it crashed under unclear circumstances, igniting a fire at the crash site, according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator Brian Rutt.
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The NTSB, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and local authorities are conducting a thorough investigation.
“It’s a complex scene, and we are carefully collecting evidence,” Rutt stated, mentioning that the helicopter did not have a black box flight data recorder. Preliminary reports from the NTSB indicate that the helicopter was engaged in an air tour when it struck the tower.
The crash site covers at least four acres, as noted by Houston Police Department Lt. Jonathan French. While power outages occurred in the area, there were no reported injuries on the ground or damage to vehicles.
Residents are urged to report any crash debris to authorities, as “any debris is considered evidence. Please avoid handling it,” Lt. French stressed. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
