Aug 15, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Jets helmet on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Preseason-New York Jets at Atlanta Falcons
All of the other crewmembers were asleep at the time of the crash, Elder noted, and an unnamed source told the Army Times that the crash was ‘not an accident.’
It remains unclear how he was able to start at least one of the helicopters without waking the crew or otherwise alert those who may have been at the field, like emergency medical services personnel or air traffic control staff.
The service’s Criminal Investigation Division is now probing the crash, which indicates that criminal activity is suspected under Army accident investigation regulations, Elder said.
The move comes after several theories about the crash abounded on social media, claiming that the aircrafts were intentionally destroyed.
But, Elder said: ‘At this point, we cannot address the manner of the damage to the two aircrafts, timeline of events, or the response from the tower and emergency services, as those details are still considered part of the active investigation.
‘No further information will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.’
