4 dead, including a child

Four people are dead, including a child, after a helicopter crashed into a radio tower in Houston on Sunday night, according to authorities.

“This is a tragic event tonight,” Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz said at a news conference Sunday night. “A tragic loss of life.”

The private helicopter, a Robinson R44, crashed into a radio tower, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY. Four people were onboard the craft when it crashed.

The incident happened just before 8 p.m., according to a post by the Houston Fire Department on X.

All four people on the helicopter were killed, Diaz said. The identities of the victims had not been made public as of Monday morning.

Helicopter crash being investigated

The aircraft had taken off from Ellington Airport, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire. The crash occurred about 17 miles northwest near North Ennis and Engelke streets.

The FAA, National Transportation Safety Board, Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Houston Fire Department are investigating the crash, said Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz.

The NTSB will lead the investigation, according to the FAA.

USA TODAY reached out to all the agencies involved for more information.

No other structures or homes were damaged in the crash, though the mayor reported that some nearby homes had lost power. By 9:30 p.m., the fire caused by the crash had been put out.

“The residents are secure and safe, but we have a terrible accident scene,” Whitmire said.

CCTV footage shows moment helicopter crashes into radio tower

Security camera footage from a nearby resident’s house in Houston, Texas shows the moment of helicopter crash that killed four people.

What we know so far

• Multiple fatalities were confirmed by Diaz. Four people are dead, including a minor.
• The crash occurred Sunday at 7:54 p.m.
• The helicopter took off from Ellington Airport. Its planned destination is unknown.

MAP: Houston helicopter crash site, KQUE-FM Houston

Chief: Don’t touch pieces of aircraft

Diaz asked that people not touch any pieces of the aircraft or shrapnel from the crash and instead call 911 to notify the Fire or Police Department.

“Let us know where it is if you see it in the community,” Diaz said. “It will be a large investigation because of the expanse of the accident.”

Large explosion was a ‘fireball out of the air’

When the crash happened, Houston Fire Station 17 “heard a loud explosion,” Whitmire said at the news conference. “Immediately, 911 was lighting up.”

The explosion was like a “fireball out of the air,” the mayor said.

Residents in the area are safe, but the helicopter and tower were destroyed. Despite the loss of life, Whitmire said the city was “fortunate” the explosion was not worse. While working to put out the fire, first responders found a gas tank near the crash site.

In footage taken in the aftermath, authorities are depicted urging onlookers to “get out of the way,” citing “a propane tank nearby.”

Helicopter crashes in Houston

Emergency crews in Houston are at the scene of a fiery helicopter crash. HFD believes the helicopter hit a radio tower and then crashed in EADO.

Fox – 26 Houston

Radio tower lights inoperable days before the crash

The tower’s lights were reported as inoperable on Oct. 16, according to KHOU 11.