What we know about the Tennessee National Guard helicopter crash in Alabama
A Tennessee National Guard Blackhawk helicopter crashed in north Alabama killing two crewmembers, officials said
The aircraft was on a training mission Wednesday when it spiraled out of the sky and crashed about 20 minutes northwest of Huntsville and 20 minutes south of the state line.
Here's what we know so far about the fatal crash.
Guardsmen identified
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Wadham of Joelton, who had 15 years of service, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Danny Randolph of Murfreesboro, who had 13 years of service, were both killed when their UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed along Highway 53 in Alabama.
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When and where the TN Nation Guard helicopter crash happened
The crash was first reported about 3 p.m. Wednesday along Highway 53 and Burwell Road in Harvest, Alabama.
Madison County Sheriff's deputies, Huntsville Emergency Medical Services and Monroe and Harvest Fire departments responded to the scene of the UH-60 Blackhawk crash.
Don Webster, spokesperson for Huntsville EMS, confirmed two people were found dead in the wreckage which was "destroyed beyond recognition."
No civilians were injured in the crash.
What happened to the Blackhawk helicopter?
It's not yet clear what happened to cause the helicopter to go down.
Officials with the Tennessee National Guard said late Wednesday that federal and state authorities are investigating the crash and the Guard will support local law enforcement as they continue to work the scene.
Video from a Nest doorbell camera in a nearby neighborhood appears to show the helicopter fall from some cloud cover, teeter totter from nose to tail and spin around before falling out of view behind some houses. Seconds later, a heavy black plume of smoke rises into the sky.
'Heartbreaking tragedy'
In a news release from the Tennessee National Guard, Brig. Gen. Warner Ross called the crash heartbreaking.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Tennessee National Guardsmen, and our prayers are with their families during this heartbreaking tragedy," Ross, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, was quoted as saying. “We ask Tennesseans to join us in supporting their families during this time of unthinkable grief.”
Gov. Bill Lee released a statement late Wednesday.
"Maria & I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two Tennessee National Guard members. Please join us in lifting their families up in prayer & support during this time of unspeakable grief," according to an email from Lee's office.
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, whose district covers the area of the crash, also called the incident tragic.
"My heart hurts for those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and for their families as they learn of this news," Strong said.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee National Guard helicopter crash in Alabama: What we know
