New findings reveal what led to a deadly crash involving a Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army helicopter near Summit Lake one year ago.
New findings reveal what led to a deadly crash involving a Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army helicopter near Summit Lake a little over a year ago.
Four Army soldiers died after their MH-60M Black Hawk struck high-voltage transmission wires late at night on Sept. 17, 2025, west of Olympia.
The accident, which involved members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment—widely recognized as one of the Army’s most elite helicopter units.
According to a publicly releasable Army report, the helicopter hit three transmission lines while flying through a saddle between ridgelines during a night training flight.
REPORT FINDINGS
The crew was using night-vision devices and had left their pre-planned route for a time-on-target training exercise.
The report includes, "Forecast weather showed unrestricted visibility and no significant flight hazards." It also confirms there was "no pre-existing mechanical or structural defect that caused the crash."
Investigators say the confirmed cause is a collision with terrain or obstacles, specifically the power lines, not a mechanical failure.
The source of why the crew did not see or avoid the wires is not explained in the public version of the report, with detailed analysis redacted.
Air traffic controllers at JBLM's Gray Airfield lost contact with the helicopter at 9 p.m. on the day of the crash.
The crash site was quickly located by deputies in a wooded area, but high flames and heat made rescue impossible.
The blaze grew to 1 acre and required help from the Washington Department of Natural Resources and other agencies to get under control.
Army Special Operations Command confirmed recovery efforts involved law enforcement, firefighters and specialty military teams.
Officials have not named the service members involved, out of respect for their families.
Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, commander of Army special operations, said, "Our hearts are with the families, friends and teammates of these Night Stalkers," adding, "They were elite warriors who embodied the highest values of the Army and the Army Special Operations and their sacrifice will never be forgotten."
The Army says more updates will be provided when possible.
