MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Two 101st Airborne Division pilots were killed when an Apache helicopter belonging to Fort Campbell crashed and caught fire near Gholson Road in Montgomery County Wednesday night.

NEW DEVELOPMENT Army grounds all aircraft following second deadly crash

The crew members were flying a two-seat AH-64D Apache during a routine training mission when the aircraft went down approximately 12 miles south of Fort Campbell around 7 p.m.

The search for the aircraft began around 7:20 p.m. near the Dickson-Cheatham county line.

The helicopter was later found on fire in the river bottom near Gholson Road in Montgomery County.

Jerry Buchanan, Director of the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, said the fire was extinguished a short time after crews discovered the site.

There has been no determination of the cause of the accident and the incident is currently under investigation by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center.

The families of the deceased have been notified, but as per Dept. of Defense regulations names will not be made public until a minimum 24 hours following notification. The time could be lengthened by the senior commander.

The investigation process is a lengthy one, according to Maj. Allen Hill, Deputy Public Affairs Officer for the 101st Airborne Division.

“A catastrophic incident such as this it could take weeks or even months before a final cause of crash is determined,” Hill said.

ClarksvilleNow.com spoke to Madison Wallace, who lives with her husband Tyler on the property where the crash occurred.

Madison said they saw helicopters with spotlights flying low above the area shortly after 7 p.m. and called police to find out what was going on. That’s when they were told a helicopter was down that had not yet been found.

EMS contacted the couple to see if they had access to Marks & Head Farm, owned by George Marks, who was not home at the time of the crash.

The Wallaces led emergency crews down to the river bottom where the crash was discovered. Madison said they spent hours near the site helping vehicles that were stuck in the mud during the process.

“It was very emotional for me because I felt just helpless, like I couldn’t do anything,” Madison said. “It was just emotional to watch everyone helping. It was kid of like an eye opener for me. I truly appreciate that the sacrifice that the soldiers make, not just last night but on a daily basis.”

Madison said it is typical to hear helicopters flying in the area around their home.

Military officials were still stationed around the crash site Thursday. The investigation is ongoing.