Army investigators recover ‘black boxes’ in helicopter crash that killed 9, including Mountain Brook man

U.S. Army investigators have recovered the flight data records onboard the two Black Hawk helicopters that crashed in Trigg County on March 29, killing all nine soldiers on board the two aircraft.

The flight data recorders are commonly referred to as “black boxes.” The recorders were sent back to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for analysis in the investigation, the Army said. The data recorders could provide more information about what went wrong aboard the aircraft leading up to the crash.

“We cannot provide a timeline as to when the investigation will be completed,” said Lt. Col. Tony Hoefler with the 101st Airborne Division in a statement released Tuesday evening. “The duration of the investigation is determined by the thorough analysis of all factors.”

The Army recently released the names of the nine soldiers onboard the helicopters. Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell, 30, of Mountain Brook, was among the victims.

The Army said three of the victims were posthumously promoted to the next highest rank, and they’ll be honored at a ceremony with their families at a later date.

Cpl. Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos, 23, of Austin, Texas, was promoted to sergeant, according to the Army. Bolanos was a a UH-60 helicopter repairer and UH-60 air crewmember with the Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Zachary Esparza, 36, of Jackson, Missouri, was promoted to chief warrant officer 3, according to the Army. Esparza was an instructor pilot for the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.

Warrant Officer 1 Aaron Healy, 32, of Cape Coral, Florida, was promoted to chief warrant officer 2, according to the Army. Healy was an aeromedical evacuation pilot for the 101st Airborne Division.

All nine soldiers’ remains were taken to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, the Army said in a news release. Law enforcement escorts honored the soldiers en route to the base.

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