The U.S. Army’s AH-64 Apache attack helicopters are experiencing a historically high rate of major crashes, according to a recent analysis of military accident data. Since October, five Class A mishaps—accidents that result in loss of life, permanent disability, or aircraft loss—have been recorded.
Fatal Texas crash prompts temporary training pause
Earlier this month, a crash at Fort Hood, Texas, killed two soldiers, sparked a wildfire, and led the Army to temporarily bar Apache pilots from routine training flights. The pause excluded units deployed overseas and ended on Wednesday.
Crash rate rivals 2024 levels
For fiscal year 2026, the estimated crash rate is about 6.24 major accidents per 100,000 flying hours, compared with 7.02 in fiscal year 2024. The Apache fleet logged roughly 80,171 flight hours through August 15, based on internal safety newsletters and estimates from an Army spokesperson.
Transmission failures under investigation
Internal safety messages this year identified problems with the Apache’s transmission, which can disable the tail rotor, electrical power, and hydraulics—potentially sending the helicopter into an uncontrolled spin. An April safety alert flagged 70 potentially faulty transmissions, and a July follow‑up added ten more, affecting about one‑tenth of the Army’s attack‑helicopter fleet.
The Army has grounded affected aircraft, but it has not disclosed how many have returned to service. Boeing, the manufacturer, has deployed teams to Army depots to inspect and repair the transmissions, though both the Army and Boeing declined to detail the investigation’s findings.
Human error also a factor
The Army’s July flight‑safety newsletter noted that just over half of this year’s Apache accidents, including less severe incidents, were primarily due to human error. The exact proportion of crashes caused by equipment failures remains unclear.
What’s next?
Maj. Montrell Russell, an Army spokesperson, expressed “deep sadness” over the loss of the two soldiers and emphasized that special controls limit the release of detailed technical information. The Army continues its safety review and remains focused on restoring operational readiness while addressing the transmission issue.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
