Four Dead, Including Child, as Private Helicopter Crashes into Unlit Houston Radio Tower

Oct 21, 2024, 05:42 AM

A private Robinson R44 helicopter crashed into a radio tower in East Houston on Sunday night, killing four people on board, including a child. The accident occurred at approximately 7:54 p.m. when the helicopter struck the tower on Engelke Street near Ennis Street, causing a large fire. Security footage captured the moment of the collision. The radio tower, which transmits for KQUE-FM, reportedly had inoperative lights as noted in a recent FAA Notice to Airmen. The impact caused some radio stations to go off the air. Emergency crews responded promptly to the scene. Authorities, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire, confirmed the fatalities and indicated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified to investigate the incident.