Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

Two Warrant Officers assigned to the New York Army National Guard, Latham, New York, died in an aviation mishap 8 March 2024 at 1440 local. During flight in support of the Border Mission, the aircraft had a catastrophic impact with the ground. A third passenger, a United States Customs and Border Protection Agent, also died in the mishap and the fourth crewmember suffered life-threating injuries. The aircraft was a total loss. The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is investigating the mishap.

Since FY19, the Army has had an average of nine Class A aviation flight mishaps and lost an average of seven Soldiers per year to on-duty aviation mishaps. This was the ninth Class A aviation mishap of FY24 and six above the number of similar mishaps during the same time last year.

Two Warrant Officers assigned to the Army National Guard, Tupelo, Mississippi, died in an aviation mishap 23 February 2024 at approximately 1330 local. While conducting a training flight, the aircraft experienced a catastrophic event and impacted the ground. First responders declared both Soldiers dead at the mishap site. The aircraft was a total loss. The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is investigating the mishap.

Since FY19, the Army has had an average of seven Class A aviation flight mishaps and lost an average of five Soldiers per year to on-duty aviation mishaps. This was the seventh Class A aviation mishap of FY24 and four above the number of similar mishaps during the same time last year.

A 30-year-old Sergeant First Class assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-4 mishap 2 February 2024 in Hoke County, North Carolina, at 2248 local. The Soldier was reportedly operating his vehicle when he crossed the median and struck a tree. The vehicle caught fire and the Soldier sustained fatal injuries. Speed was involved, the use of seat belt and alcohol are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for law enforcement to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 16th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

A 38-year-old Second Lieutenant assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, died in an on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 26 February 2024 on the installation at 0644 local. While attending the Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course, the Soldier fell back during an ability group run and passed out. He was breathing and had a pulse when on-site cadre notified emergency medical services (EMS). EMS arrived, connected a heart monitor and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The Soldier was transported to the local hospital and pronounced dead upon arrival.

Since 2019, the Army has lost an average of one Soldier a year to on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the third on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY24 and above the number of on-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatalities from this time last year.

A 49-year-old Sergeant First Class assigned to Fort Novosel, Alabama, died in a PMV-4 mishap in Walton County, Florida, on 11 February 2024 at 1800 local. The Soldier was traveling northbound with her son as a passenger when an oncoming vehicle entered their lane and struck them head-on. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The Soldier’s son was transported to the local hospital and discharged with no serious injuries. The civilian driver was hospitalized in critical condition. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including use of seat belt, speed or alcohol, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for WCSO and FHP to release their final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 15th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Head-on motor vehicle collisions are deadly. In 2019, they were responsible for nearly 30% of the 16,700 U.S. roadway deaths that resulted from crashes with other vehicles, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

You can help prevent a potential head-on collision before it occurs. NSC has developed a lifesaving method for drivers to use: the four R’s.

Read the road ahead. Scan ahead to the top of the next hill, curve or intersection to recognize hazards. This will help you see and react faster if an oncoming vehicle crosses the centerline. Also, check the shoulder of the road to see if you’ve got room to pull over. Watch the space between the left front tire of any approaching vehicle and the centerline. If the spacing is becoming smaller, that vehicle may be about to stray into your lane.

Drive to the Right. Drive slightly to the right of center of your lane to create an extra space between you and other vehicles. On multi-lane roadways, leave one lane to the left open. When facing a head-on collision, drive right, onto the shoulder. Never swerve into the left lane. If the other driver instinctively pulls their vehicle back into the proper lane, you’ll have a collision in that lane.

Reduce your speed. If you see a hazard ahead, immediately reduce your speed. This gives you extra time and gives the oncoming driver time to recover and move back into the correct lane. Don’t slam on the brakes or swerve. And never stop your vehicle. If you stop completely, you may be struck from behind – and potentially pushed forward into the oncoming vehicle.

Ride off the road. If you have to choose between a head-on collision and riding onto the shoulder, your chances of survival are much better on the shoulder. If you must hit something, steer your vehicle to hit the object with a glancing blow rather than head-on. Every inch off center reduces the impact of the collision – and increases your chance for survival.

Tips provided by the National Safety Council.