Federal and state officials are on site of the Tennessee National Guard helicopter crash in Madison County that killed two crew members Wednesday.

The UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter crashed near Highway 53 and Burwell Road in Huntsville around 3 p.m.

Here’s what we know today:

Aircraft was on a training mission

The helicopter was flying on a training mission with the Tennessee National Guard at the time of the crash. People near the scene, many of whom were waiting to pick up students from nearby schools, reported seeing an object fall out of the sky followed by plumes of smoke.

The crash occurred near a heavily populated area.

Two crew members dead at scene

The Tennessee National Guard said two crew members onboard were killed. Their names have not been released. No civilians on the ground or any other personnel were injured.

Huntsville EMS spokesperson Don Webster said the wreckage was “destroyed beyond recognition.”

‘Heartbreaking tragedy’

Tennessee National Guard Brig. Gen. Warner Ross described the crash as “heartbreaking.”

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Tennessee National Guardsmen, and our prayers are with their families during this heartbreaking tragedy,” Ross said. “We ask Tennesseans to join us in supporting their families during this time of unthinkable grief.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee also issued a statement.

“Governor Lee, Alabamians will continue to uplift in prayer the families affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said. “The Guardsmen who lost their lives today will be remembered as heroes. The people of Alabama stand with our neighbors in Tennessee.”

Roads closed

The crash investigation is closing several heavily traveled roads.

Highway 53 between Jeff Road and Douglas Road, as well as a stretch of highway between Research Park Blvd. and Jeff Road are closed to all traffic today.

Drivers going to Hazel Green are encouraged to use Pulaski Pike or Hwy. 231/431 as the optimal routes to get to Huntsville and Old Railroad Bed Road or Wall Triana from Highway 53 to get to the Madison area.

SEE MORE: Fiery military helicopter crash that killed 2 on Alabama highway caught on videos

Debris possible

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said crash debris could be scattered in the area. If you locate any wreckage, avoid the area and notify the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at 256-722-7181.

Investigation

The cause of the crash is not yet known.

Federal and state authorities are investigating and Tennessee National Guard said it will support law enforcement and other first responders at the crash site.

While not confirmed yet, such investigations are often conducted by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center at Alabama’s Fort Rucker. Fort Rucker has not responded to a request for comment.

Past crashes

Over the years, a handful of Black Hawk helicopters were in crashes during training exercises.

In 2022 in Utah, whiteout conditions caused a Black Hawk helicopter pilot during a training exercise to lose sight of where he was trying to land, causing a crash with another helicopter near a Utah ski resort. None of men and women aboard the helicopter or the dozens of skiers nearby at the resort were injured.

In 2021, three Idaho Army National Guard pilots died when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Boise during a training flight.

And in 2020, two soldiers were killed and three were injured when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training exercise off Southern California’s coast.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.