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Five U.S. Marines aboard a military helicopter that crashed in the mountains near San Diego have been pronounced dead, authorities said Thursday.
The CH-53E Super Stallion was reported missing Tuesday night during a “routine training flight” from Creech Air Force Base northwest of Las Vegas to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, according to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. . The plane was discovered Wednesday morning near Pine Valley, about 74 miles east of San Diego.
“We are heartbroken and deeply saddened by the loss of five outstanding Marines,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. stated in a statement. “To the families of our fallen Marines, we extend our deepest condolences and pledge to ensure your support and care during this incredibly difficult time.”
The aircraft division said work has begun to recover the Marine’s body and equipment. The cause of the crash remains unknown.
Marines remain at the scene with the bodies as the investigation into the crash continues, said Col. James C. Ford, operations officer, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego.
“My fellow Marines, like all Marines, were by their side, taking turns at the scene of the accident throughout the night and continuing to watch over us as we fell, despite dangerous weather conditions.” Mr. Ford said. “Our fellow Marines have been and will continue to be protected by our brothers and sisters.”
The Marine’s name will not be released until 24 hours after all next of kin have been notified. The five Marines were assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, 16th Marine Aircraft Group, 361st Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron in Miramar.
learn more: Graphics and maps show flight conditions, crash sites.
President Joe Biden said in a statement that he and First Lady Jill Biden were “heartbroken” by the Marine’s death.
“As the Department of Defense continues to investigate what happened, we mourn the loss of five of our nation’s finest soldiers and extend our deepest condolences to their families, the squadron, and the Marine Corps,” Biden said. “I will.” They represent the best of our country, and these five Marines were no exception. ”
Recovery work slows down due to heavy snow
Local, state and federal authorities began searching early Wednesday morning and found the plane in Pine Valley, California, just after 9 a.m. Pacific Time. The condition of the aircraft, the time the Marines left Nevada, and the time they were scheduled to land at their base in San Diego were not disclosed.
Cal Fire spokesman Capt. Mike Cornett told CBS 8 News that the last contact with the helicopter was on Tuesday around 11:30 p.m. Its location was based on a “ping” reported to the Cal Fire Command Center.
Difficult conditions and heavy snow from historic storms that hit California this week made it difficult for rescuers to access the scene, Cal Fire and the San Diego County Fire Protection District said. The storm dumped record rainfall over the weekend and continued to pound the area until Tuesday, when the helicopter was scheduled to arrive in San Diego. The “atmospheric river” storm also brought heavy snow to the region’s mountains.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department participated in the exhaustive search, along with Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Border Patrol Search and Trauma Rescue (BORSTAR) units, Cal Fire San Diego, and the U.S. Forest Service. Jeeps and drones were used to manage the difficult terrain.
Ford said ground recovery work would be carried out over the next few weeks due to the “dangerous terrain and weather” at the site. Wing spokeswoman Col. Stephanie Leguizamon also noted that snow and cold conditions made recovery efforts difficult.
CH-53E Super Stallion involved in several deadly incidents
The CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter used by the U.S. military. The helicopter, called a “heavy-lift helicopter,” can carry troops, equipment and supplies from ships to shore, and can also launch amphibious attacks, according to the Naval Air Systems Command website. That’s what it means.
The aircraft is built to withstand harsh conditions, including traveling over rough terrain in bad weather, and has been involved in several fatal crashes.
In April 2018, a CH-53E Super Stallion crashed a few miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, killing all four crew members. The helicopter also belonged to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of Miramar Air Base in San Diego.
Two years ago, two Super Stallion helicopters collided off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, killing 12 Marines. In 2005, a CH-53E crashed during a sandstorm in Iraq, killing 31 people.
Rich Martindell, a former Air Force air accident investigator, told USA TODAY that the accident rate for CH-53 helicopters is more than twice that of other Marine Corps aircraft. From 1984 to 2008, the CH-53 averaged 5.96 accidents per 100,000 hours, compared with 2.26 accidents per 100,000 hours for other helicopters, he said.
Martindell, who has helped investigate more than 300 aircraft accidents, said the CH-53E’s accident rate will be one of many factors the commission will consider.
“These are very unique helicopters that can carry huge amounts of cargo and are very useful,” he said. “But now it’s about whether we can reduce the risk of using it.”
Contribution: Associated Press; N’Dair Yancey Bragg and Thao Nguyen, america today
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