3 soldiers dead after military helicopter crash in upstate New York

The helicopter fell during a routine training mission.

Three soldiers died after a military helicopter crashed in upstate New York on Wednesday evening, the New York National Guard said.

The UH-60 medevac helicopter, based at the Army Aviation Support Center at Rochester International Airport, crashed in Mendon, New York, during a training mission routine, according to the National Guard.

The helicopter fell at 6:32 p.m. in an open field, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said. According to calls to 911, the plane was flying very low and there were reports of engine spraying, authorities said at a press briefing Wednesday evening.

Several fire departments responded to the crash, as well as state police and U.S. military officials, the sheriff’s office said. The plane was engulfed in flames when first responders arrived, authorities said.

The wreckage field from the crash is the size of a few blocks, authorities said. The road near the crash site remained closed.

The sheriff’s office did not indicate the cause of the accident.

The aircraft was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 171st General Support Aviation Battalion, according to the New York National Guard.

Flags on all state buildings will be lowered to half staff on Thursday in honor of the soldiers, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

“Members of the National Guard are our citizen soldiers who volunteer to serve and protect here and on board, and I extend the prayers and condolences of all New Yorkers to the families, loved ones and fellow warriors of these honorable heroes we will never forget, ”Cuomo said in a report.

New York National Guard and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.

ABC News’ Will Gretsky and Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Please come back for updates.