Stien P. Gearhart, 50, and Jon L. Hartway, 43, killed in National Guard helicopter crash near the National Guard base at Gowen Field near Boise International Airport

Modified Date:

Wed, 04/08/2015 - 3:29pm

Accident Date:

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Two killed in Idaho National Guard helicopter crash

“The men and women of the Idaho National Guard are united in grief at the loss of two of our brothers in arms, who gave their lives while training to defend our nation,” Maj. Gen. Gary Sayler, commander of the Idaho National Guard, said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.”

Fire chief: National Guard helicopter crashes in Idaho

Boise Fire Chief Dennis Doan said Thursday night that the helicopter was an Apache.

Downed Idaho National Guard Helicopter Kills 2 Crew Members

The crash happened after dark, and the Idaho National Guard has confirmed the Apache was conducting a routine nighttime training exercise.

2 killed in Idaho National Guard copter crash

Boise firefighters initially responded to the crash but then turned the scene over to the National Guard, Fire Chief Dennis Doan said.

National Guard Helicopter Crashes, Killing 2

There is no word on what went wrong.

UPDATE: National Guard Names 2 Killed in Copter Crash

Stien P. Gearhart, 50, and Jon L. Hartway, 43, were the only two soldiers aboard the aircraft when it went down Thursday evening. Both were assigned to the 1-183rd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion headquartered at Gowen Field in Boise.

Soldiers remember aviators killed in Apache crash

Soldiers from the Army Aviation branch, families, and friends held a closed Vigil Friday night to to commemorate the lives and accomplishments of Gearhart and Hartway.

Local family gives perspective on tragic helicopter crash

On Thursday night, when an Apache helicopter went down, killing two Idaho National guardsmen, a local family was watching the news closely.

Funeral services set for National Guard pilots killed in Idaho crash

Funeral services for Gearhart are planned for Wednesday, while services for Hartway are set for Friday. Services for each will be followed with interment at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.

Fallen Idaho National Guard pilot laid to rest

Wednesday was a day to remember and honor a soldier, husband, and father who died while training with our military. Chief Warrant Officer Stien Gearhart was laid to rest.

Investigators: Human Error Caused Idaho Guard Chopper Crash

But investigators concluded one or both of the pilots pushed both control levers into the lock-out position and kept them there for too long, causing the engines to over-speed and shutting down the engines.

The Defense Department will investigate the crash of an Idaho Army National Guard helicopter during a training mission that killed the two men aboard the Apache combat helicopter that crashed around 7 p.m. Thursday just south of the National Guard base at Gowen Field near Boise International Airport. It wasn’t yet known if the pilots were heading to or returning from a mission. There aircraft did not catch on fire. The Idaho Army National Guard had 16 Apache helicopters at its Gowen Field training base. Boise firefighters initially responded to the crash but then turned the scene over to the National Guard.

Type: Aircraft Accident

Topics:

Military Vehicles, Helicopter Accident

People Involved:

Stien P. Gearhart

Jon L. Hartway

City:

Boise, ID

County:

Ada County, ID

Area:

Boise, ID