Desperate search continues after Army helicopter carrying four service members crashes near Washington base

A U.S. Army MH-60 Black Hawk carrying four service members crashed during a routine training mission around 9 p.m. Wednesday near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, about 10 miles south of Tacoma, Washington, an Army official said, triggering a multi-agency search as responders attempted to reach the wreckage.

The aircraft belonged to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Airborne, according to the Army. No further details about the helicopter were released besides the model, and officials cautioned that information about the four crew members was limited pending the outcome of the search.

The crash sparked a wildfire near the site, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources said the blaze had grown to about an acre by Thursday morning. Law enforcement and first responders were able to reach the vicinity but were repeatedly pushed back as the fire intensified, complicating efforts to reach the wreckage near JBLM.

The incident prompted a large-scale response from local agencies. Deputies with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office were among the first on the scene after reports that the military had lost contact with a helicopter in the area. Derek Sanders, Thurston County sheriff, said in a post on social media that his team reached the crash site but could not continue rescue efforts while the area remained on fire. In addition to local responders, King County Guardian 1 helicopter and its special operations rescue units were involved in the effort.

This remains an active, ongoing situation, the Army said, and all efforts are focused on locating and assisting any personnel aboard the aircraft. The service described the operation as a search mission and emphasized that responders were working with the most professional and skilled teams available to address the situation.

The crash occurred near JBLM, a major U.S. Army installation whose jurisdiction falls under the Army’s Joint Base Headquarters. While authorities have not released information about any findings or the condition of the soldiers, officials cautioned that details could change as the investigation and search continue.

Emergency coordinators have stressed that updates will be provided as new information becomes available, and that investigations into the cause of the crash will be led by Army investigators with support from local agencies. The incident underscores the ongoing risk associated with military training missions and the importance of interagency cooperation in responding to emergencies near key military installations.