Helicopter Crashes into Radio Tower in Houston, Resulting in Multiple Fatalities, Including Child

A tragic helicopter crash in Houston’s Greater East End on Sunday night resulted in multiple fatalities, including a child.

The helicopter, a privately owned Robinson R44, collided with a radio tower around 7:54 p.m., igniting into a fireball and crashing to the ground, according to local authorities.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire confirmed that multiple people died in the accident and described the scene as a “terrible accident.” Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz reported that four people were aboard the helicopter, though the exact number of fatalities has not yet been confirmed. The victims’ identities are still unknown, and their families have not been notified.

Video footage from the scene showed large flames covering a wide area. Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz stated that the fire spread across “two to three blocks” but was quickly extinguished by first responders. Fortunately, no one on the ground was injured, and the crash, which occurred near a butane tank, did not cause additional structural damage beyond the radio tower.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by several state and federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration. The incident caused localized power outages in the neighborhood, though the extent of the disruption remains unclear.

Witnesses described the crash as a surreal and explosive event, with some comparing the impact to an earthquake. Many expressed relief that the radio tower fell in a way that avoided nearby homes, minimizing what could have been a larger catastrophe.

The Washington Post and the New York Times contributed to this report.