In brief
A UH-1Y Venom with five soldiers on board crashed at the 22nd Helicopter Base in Náměšť nad Oslavou on 23 July 2026, killing one and injuring four.
Emergency services received the call at 12:11 and dispatched four ground ambulance teams, a helicopter from Jihlava, and a backup helicopter from Olomouc.
Czech Defence Minister Jaromir Zuna travelled to the base, while Polish Deputy PM Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz offered condolences on behalf of himself and the Polish Armed Forces.
The Czech Republic acquired 12 UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters from the US under a 2019 contract, with the last delivered in summer 2024; two Venoms are deployed in Poland as part of NATO's eastern flank.
- 12:11Emergency services receive call about the crash at the 22nd Helicopter Base.
- After 13:00Czech army announces the crash on social media platform X, confirming five soldiers on board.
- AfternoonFour injured soldiers transported to hospitals in Brno and Jihlava; Defence Minister Jaromir Zuna travels to the base; Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz offers condolences.
The crash
On Thursday, 23 July 2026, a Czech Air Force UH-1Y Venom helicopter crashed at the 22nd Helicopter Base in Náměšť nad Oslavou, southern Czech Republic. Five soldiers were on board. The aircraft went down inside the base perimeter, and the cause remains under investigation. The Czech army confirmed the incident on social media platform X shortly after 13:00, stating that further information would be released when the situation allowed.
“We will provide further information when the situation permits.”
Rescue response
Emergency services received the call at 12:11 and dispatched four ground ambulance teams, a medical helicopter from Jihlava, and a backup helicopter from the Olomouc region. Regional rescue spokesman Petr Janaczek confirmed one fatality and said the injured were transported by road and air.
“Unfortunately, one person died in the helicopter crash, and the injured were transported to hospital both by road and by air.”
The four wounded soldiers were taken to hospitals in Brno and Jihlava. Photographs from a distance showed the helicopter damaged but not completely destroyed. Police spokeswoman Dana Čírtková told the Czech News Agency that authorities would not release detailed information at this stage.
The Venom fleet
The UH-1Y Venom is a multi-role helicopter manufactured by Bell Textron, powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C engines. The Czech Republic signed a contract with the United States in 2019 for 12 helicopters: eight Venoms and four AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters. The last of these were delivered to the Náměšť base in summer 2024, replacing older Soviet-era Mi-series helicopters. An additional eight helicopters are expected from the US in 2027–2028 as compensation for Czech military aid to Ukraine. In March 2026, two Czech Venoms deployed on their first foreign mission, joining a NATO contingent on Poland's eastern flank to help protect airspace near the Belarus border against potential Russian drone incursions.
International reaction
Czech Defence Minister Jaromir Zuna travelled to the base following the crash. Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed condolences on X, addressing Minister Zuna and the victim's family.
“Today we received news of a Czech military helicopter accident in which one soldier died and several were injured. On behalf of myself and the Polish Armed Forces, I extend my deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones of the victim. I wish a speedy recovery to the soldiers who suffered in the accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy.”
The Czech army has not yet disclosed the identities of the crew or the specific circumstances of the crash. An investigation is underway.