One Of The Colliding Apaches Lost Sight Of The Lead Following A Turn

A mid-air Apache collision that killed 3 last April has been investigated by the Army, with the internal report released via a FOIA request.

The incident occurred when 14 AH-64 Apaches were heading through an Alaskan mountain range at about 250 feet AGL at the time of the collision. The 14 Apaches had taken off from the Donnelly Training Area, planning to transit the Alaska Range on their way to Nenana, then Fairbanks International Airport on to Ladd Field by Fort Wainwright. 

The formation had completed the first leg of the flight without issue, traveling along at 82 mph at 3,200 feet. The error chain began when one of the colliding apaches lost sight of the lead following a turn. Thinking the aircraft was further ahead, the lagging Apache increased speed in an effort to catch up - but the missing aircraft was already too close. The aircraft collided quickly, killing 3 and injuring another.

Those perished were assigned to the 1st Attack Battalion of the 25th Aviation Regiment. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Eramo, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle McKenna, and Warrant Officer 1 Stewart Wayment lost their lives in the incident.

FMI: www.army.mil