Helicopter Crashes on Texas A&M's Campus; One Dead

Back to HomePage
Updated: 6:32 PM Jan 13, 2009 Helicopter Crashes on Texas A&M's Campus; One Dead One person was killed and four others were injured Monday after the Army Blackhawk helicopter they were on crashed into a field on the campus of Texas A&M University. Posted: 3:18 PM Jan 12, 2009 Reporter: KBTX Staff Email Address: news@kbtx.com

Font Size:

One person was killed and four others were injured Monday after the Army Blackhawk helicopter they were on crashed into a field near the Corps of Cadets quad on the campus of Texas A&M University.

The Army UH-60 Blackhawk had a crew of five on board, including four members of the Army National Guard and one member of the ROTC staff at Texas A&M who is a recent graduate, according to Texas A&M officials.

Another person on the ground was hit by debris from the helicopter, officials said.

News 3 has learned the soldier killed was Lt. Zachary Cook, a member of the Aggie class of 2008.

The helicopter was reportedly taking off with the crew on board when it fell abruptly back to the ground around 3 p.m. The rotor apparently failed on the helicopter during takeoff, Texas A&M officials said.

Some of the injured were taken to St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan, others to the College Station Medical Center. Their names have not been released.

Officials with the College Station Medical Center say that the pilot, co-pilot and a crew member were taken to their hospital. Two of those patients are listed in critical condition, the other is in stable.

Officials at The Med also said that a bystander who was hit with debris is listed in good condition.

The conditions of those taken to St. Joseph Regional Health Center is unknown.

The University’s Code Maroon emergency notification system was activated shortly after the crash notifying students of the crash.

Fires were spotted according to News 3's crews on the scene just after they arrived.

Blockades were put in place as a result.

News 3's Blake Mathews said about 1:30 p.m., there were five helicopters sitting on the campus, with three at one point taking off together and flying away. An hour later, around 2:30 p.m., two were still on the ground, with one about to take off.

The helicopter, along with 190 cadets in the university’s Corps of Cadets, was participating in the ROTC Winter Field Training Exercises taking place at the university. Texas A&M was not in winter break at the time of the accident.

Latest Comments

Posted by: matt Location: San Angelo on Jan 15, 2009 at 12:30 PM

From a Longhorn to an Aggie... sorry bout your loss.. all are in my prayers..
[ Report Abuse ]

Posted by: Praying for the victims and families Location: TAMU on Jan 15, 2009 at 08:36 AM

What a horrible situation! My heart goes out to the victims, families and the deceased. All are in my prayers. This happened not far from where I work @ TAMU, and I can tell you the whole family @ TAMU is affected. I have just learned that there has been a second death from this crash. God bless all, please hold all victims and their families close in thought and prayer.
[ Report Abuse ]

Posted by: E. Location: Harker Heights, Texas on Jan 15, 2009 at 08:13 AM

Sgt. Charlie Mitts passed on last night at 9PM in Houston, from injuries sustained in the crash. He was a decorated police officer, a distinguished FBI agent, a soldier, a mentor, a father, and family to me and all of the other dumb kids he mentored in the Police Explorers. I have no doubt he was just as dedicated to the kids in ROTC at A&M. He was a hero, and a good man.
[ Report Abuse ]

Click here to post or read all 121 comments.

	Find out Whats On KBTX Tonight
	Check Out This Fall's CW Lineup