Helicopter crash that killed an Army pilot was ‘not an accident’: report

OSTN Staff

A view of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters carrying U.S. and Afghan trainees take off at Kandahar Air Field, in Afghanistan, Monday, March 19, 2018. The United States has delivered two Black Hawk helicopters to Croatia amid a mini arms race with neighboring Russian ally Serbia and simmering tensions in the post-war Balkan region. The U.S. Embassy in Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, said Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, the UH-60M multi-purpose helicopters will contribute to Croatia’s growing defense capabilities and military preparedness in support of NATO. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)
A view of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters carrying U.S. and Afghan trainees take off at Kandahar Air Field, in Afghanistan, Monday, March 19, 2018.

  • Capt. James Bellew was killed March 30 in a crash involving two helicopters at Wright Army Airfield.
  • A source familiar with the ongoing investigation told Army Times the incident was “not an accident.”
  • Officials have not released further details but a criminal investigation is underway.

Capt. James Bellew, an Army pilot at Fort Stewart-Hunter Airfield in Georgia, was killed last week in a helicopter crash that is currently under criminal investigation, Savannah Now reported

An official statement issued March 30 from Fort Stewart-Hunter Airfield’s 3rd Infantry Division confirmed the incident that killed Bellew involved two UH-60 helicopters at Wright Army Airfield, but did not share further details.

“The incident is under investigation and the Soldier’s name will be released pending Next of Kin notification. Wright Army Airfield is closed until further notice,” read the initial statement. Bellew’s identity was confirmed by the Army later on the same day, WJCL reported.

Fort Stewart-Hunter Airfield did not immediately return Insider’s request for comment.

An anonymous source familiar with the ongoing investigation told the Army Times that the incident, which occurred at approximately 2 a.m., was “not an accident.” 

Bellew, a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, was a decorated officer serving with the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Savannah Now reported. Over the course of his military career, he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.

The US Army, as well as its Criminal Investigation Division, did not immediately return Insider’s request for comment.

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