OLYMPIA, Wash. — Four servicemembers were aboard a Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) helicopter when it crashed late Wednesday night near Summit Lake, just outside of Olympia.

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office did not share the condition of the servicemembers, who were assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). The Thurston County coroner described Thursday’s fallout as a “death investigation,” and the sheriff said the scale of the wreckage would be impossible to survive.

“That is a crash, unfortunately, that is not compatible with life,” Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said.

In a press release, the command called the incident an “aviation mishap.”

Deputies located the site of the crash on Wednesday night near the lake, which is approximately 20 minutes west of Olympia and 30 minutes west of JBLM. However, they had to retreat because of a fire around the crash scene and were not able to make contact.

The servicemembers were aboard a MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter when the crash happened about 9 p.m. The military reported losing contact with the helicopter on Wednesday night, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Sanders said he got out to the crash site about an hour after it was reported.

“Just absolute wreckage,” said Sanders. “You can’t tell one thing from another. Everything’s on fire and it just looks like a wasteland.”

The cause is still under investigation, according to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Stephanie Mace, who lives about a mile east of where the helicopter went down, said she heard two loud booms Wednesday night, shaking her house.

“It was very loud, and it was more than just a split second,” said Mace.

She called the incident “tragic.”

“I think we’re going to feel this, the effects, for quite some time,” said Mace.

TCSO is “working closely with JBLM to deploy any resources needed to assist.” JBLM told KING 5 it is aware of the reported crash and could not provide further information. The Thurston County Fire Department also responded to the scene. 

In March 2024, a U.S. Army AH-64E Apache helicopter crashed on JBLM during a training flight. There were no fatalities. 

This is a breaking new story and will be updated when more information is received.