Helicopter crash that killed an Army pilot was 'not an accident': report

• Capt. James Bellew was killed March 30 in a crash involving two helicopters at Wright Army Airfield.
• A source familiar with the ongoing investigation told Army Times the incident was "not an accident."

Capt. James Bellew, an Army pilot at Fort Stewart-Hunter Airfield in Georgia, was killed last week in a helicopter crash that is currently under criminal investigation.

An official statement issued March 30 from Fort Stewart-Hunter Airfield's 3rd Infantry Division confirmed the incident that killed Bellew involved two UH-60 helicopters at Wright Army Airfield, but did not share further details.

On Monday, an anonymous source familiar with the investigation told the Army Times that the incident, which occurred at approximately 2 a.m., was "not an accident."

In a statement to Insider, Lt. Col. Lindsey Elder, public affairs officer for Fort Stewart-Hunter Airfield's 3rd Infantry Division said, "Capt. Bellew was on MEDEVAC duty the night of the incident. MEDEVAC crews sleep on site to remain on call at Wright Army Airfield during their shifts to remain postured to respond to medical emergencies. The initial indication is that all other crewmembers were asleep at the time of the incident."

"Capt. Bellew was the only crewmember involved in the incident and he was the only one injured or killed in the incident," Elder's statement continued: "At this point, we cannot address the manner of the damage to the two aircraft, timeline of events, or the response from the tower and emergency services, as those details are still considered part of the active investigation."

Bellew, a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, was a decorated officer serving with the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Savannah Now reported. Over the course of his military career, he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.

Patrick Barnes, chief of public affairs for the Army Criminal Investigations Division, said in a statement to Insider: "Currently, the Special Agents from the Army's Criminal Investigation Division are looking into the facts surrounding the incident at Ft. Stewart. CID is tasked with investigating all non-combat deaths of Soldiers. We will not speculate as to the possible cause of the incident."

"The Armed Forces Medical Examiner, based on the known facts and circumstances of the case, will determine the cause and manner of death," Barnes' statement continued. "No further information will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation."