Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced today, Saturday, that a National Guard helicopter crashed in the state, resulting in the deaths of two military personnel on board.
Reeves stated in a release, “Today, an Apache ‘AH-64’ helicopter belonging to the Mississippi National Guard crashed during a routine training flight. Unfortunately, two of our Guardsmen did not survive.” He noted that specialists are currently working at the crash site.
Recent incidents and accidents involving aviation in the US have included a variety of situations ranging from technical issues to more severe accidents. Notable incidents include a United Boeing 757-200 experiencing slat damage in flight on February 19, 2024, en route from San Francisco to Boston with 165 people on board. This incident was among several others that have occurred in recent times, highlighting the various challenges and risks associated with aviation, from technical malfunctions to accidents during takeoff and landing.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regularly provides statements on aviation accidents and incidents, offering preliminary information that is subject to change. Their reports cover a wide range of incidents, including general and commercial aviation mishaps. For example, on January 23, 2024, a single-engine Piper PA-28 experienced a power issue near Vero Beach Regional Airport, Florida, and on January 21, American Airlines Flight 885 landed safely in Houston after smoke was reported in the galley. These incidents, among others, are investigated by the FAA and, when applicable, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine causes and prevent future occurrences.
In December, a small airplane crashed into Interstate 26 near Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The single-engine Diamond DA-40 crashed around 8:15 p.m. local time. While the status of the two passengers on the plane has not been disclosed, the crash led to the aircraft catching fire on the highway, and several people were reportedly hospitalized following the incident.
