Latest news with #3rdMarineAircraftWing
Epoch Times
09-05-2025
- General
- Epoch Times
Marine Corps Report Cites Pilot Error in Helicopter Crash That Killed 5 in California
Pilot error was the root cause of a military helicopter crash near Pine Valley, California, last year that claimed the lives of five U.S. Marines, an investigation has found. The CH-53E Super Stallion, callsign 'TIGER 43,' was conducting a routine flight from Imperial County Airfield to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar when it crashed into a mountain ridge on Feb. 6, 2024. U.S. Marine Corps investigators found that the pilots failed to maintain safe obstacle clearance and did not adhere to visual flight rules visibility requirements, likely due to spatial disorientation caused by challenging environmental conditions, according to a May 7 Corps The investigators confirmed there was no evidence of material or mechanical failure in the helicopter. The five Marines lost in the crash were Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, Sgt. Alec Langen, Capt. Benjamin Moulton, Capt. Jack Casey, and Capt. Miguel Nava, all members of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. (Top L–R) Capt. Jack Casey, Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, and Sgt. Alec Langen. (Bottom L–R) Capt. Benjamin Moulton and Capt. Miguel Nava. Marine Corps via AP The helicopter disappeared late on Feb. 6, 2024, during a storm, and its wreckage was found the next morning near Pine Valley. Recovery efforts were disturbed by rough terrain and severe weather, and Marines stayed with the fallen until their bodies could be recovered, in keeping with the Marine Corps' tradition of never leaving a Marine behind. Related Stories 5/7/2025 5/6/2025 'We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service family's worst fear,' Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, commanding officer of the squadron, said at the time of the accident. 'The Flying Tigers family stands strong and includes the friends and community who have supported our squadron during this challenging time. We will get through this together.' The May 7 statement said the investigation faced some limitations, including the inability to access certain onboard flight data and obtain exact real-time weather information. Investigators used available data and simulations to reconstruct the events leading to the crash. Following a review of the investigation, the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing relieved the HMH-361 commanding officer of command on Nov. 18, 2024, citing a loss of trust and confidence. While the officer's actions were not found to be a direct cause of the crash, the commanding general determined that he had demonstrated poor judgment and should have exercised greater care in his duties, according to the investigation report. In response to the findings, the Marine Corps has implemented multiple changes to policy and training across the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Corps also extended gratitude to the first responders and investigative teams involved in the aftermath and investigation of the crash. From
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Report: Pilot error caused helicopter crash that killed West Michigan marine
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — U.S. Military investigators have released a report detailing the cause of the helicopter crash that killed five Marines in February 2024, including West Michigan native . According to News 8 sister station in San Diego, investigators found that pilot error, not material or mechanical failure, caused the crash. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing announced that the pilot failed to maintain safe obstacle clearance and visibility requirements. The on Feb. 6 after the helicopter took off from Creech Air Force Base, near Las Vegas. The Marines were reported missing after their aircraft did not show up at USMC Air Station Miramar in San Diego. Investigators found the crash site on a mountain ridge not far from where the helicopter was last reported, near Pine Valley, California, about 35 miles east of their destination. 'Hero, leader': Hundreds honor fallen Marine at Comstock Park High School According to KUSI, the commanding officer of the squadron, , was relieved of his command this past November, as the investigation into the crash drew on. 'While the Commanding Officer's actions were not directly causal or contributing factors to the mishap itself, the Commanding General determined that he exhibited poor judgment and was expected to exercise greater care in the performance of his duties,' military officials stated. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing has also implemented multiple recommendations to its policy and training in the wake of the crash. Nava grew up in Comstock Park, where his mother was a longtime employee of Comstock Park Public Schools. Nava graduated from Comstock Park High School in 2013, where he was an all-conference soccer player and won district and regional championships as a kicker on the football team. Comstock Park post office to be renamed after Capt Miguel Nava Former President Joe Biden in January to rename Comstock Park's post office after Capt. Nava. Nava is survived by his wife and son. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- General
- USA Today
Investigators release report on cause of helicopter crash that killed 5 Marines
Investigators release report on cause of helicopter crash that killed 5 Marines Show Caption Hide Caption Pilot error cited as cause of military helicopter crash A report says weather and the use of night vision goggles were among the reasons for a deadly Marine helicopter crash. Fox - 10 Phoenix More than a year after five U.S. Marines were killed when a helicopter crashed into a Southern California mountain range, investigators say the cause of the mishap was "pilot error." The fatal crash occurred on Feb. 6, 2024, as the service members were returning to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego following a training mission at Nevada's Creech Air Force Base, northwest of Las Vegas. The CH-53E Super Stallion was reported missing before authorities discovered it had crashed into a mountain near Pine Valley, California. The crash killed five Marines including Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21; Sgt. Alec Langen, 23; Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27; Capt. Jack Casey, 26; and Capt. Miguel Nava, 28. The more than 1,100 page report released by the Marine Corps found the root cause of the mishap was the pilot's "failure to maintain both a safe obstacle clearance and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) visibility requirements, resulting in a fatal controlled flight into terrain." As the helicopter was returning to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, it had to make an emergency landing at Imperial County Airport, about 120 miles east of the chopper's final destination in San Diego. Before taking off again, the helicopter's pilot received permission from the squadron's commanding officer to make the "one shot" return flight. Investigators say the weather conditions on the route from the county airport to the air station, including moderate icy conditions and cloud layers, also presented a safety risk. "These deteriorating weather conditions should have been a signal to the mishap crew of Tiger 43 that a safe transit from Imperial County Airport to MCAS Miramar was not feasible," the report said. And while investigators say the commanding officer's approval of the return flight was not a "direct causal or contributing factor in this mishap," they determined the officer exceeded his authority as the approval of a nighttime flight after emergency maintenance lies with a higher authority. The squadron's commanding officer also should have taken more time to speak with pilot about the "aircraft issue and discuss a more thorough plan to return home, including weather conditions, planned route of flight, crew day, and fatigue level and human factors," investigators determined. In November, the squadron's commanding officer, who approved the return flight, was relieved of command "due to loss of trust and confidence in his ability to continue serving," the report said. A memo from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing included in the report said "the Marine Corps aviation community will utilize the findings and recommendations of this investigation to make us better in both practice and execution."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cause of deadly military helicopter crash near Pine Valley revealed
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The cause of the deadly CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crash near Pine Valley last year was revealed Wednesday. The investigation determined the helicopter crash was due to pilot error, including failure to maintain safe obstacle clearance and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) visibility requirements, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said in a news release Wednesday. Military officials ruled out material or mechanical failure to the aircraft. Lawsuit filed against Aladdin Mediterranean Café amid ongoing salmonella investigation The incident occurred on Feb. 6, 2024, when the military helicopter crashed into a mountain ridge near Pine Valley during a flight from Imperial County Airfield to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Aboard the flight were Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, Sgt. Alec Langen, Capt. Benjamin Moulton, Capt. Jack Casey and Capt. Miguel Nava. All five Marines were killed in the crash. In November, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing also relieved the HMH-361 Commanding Officer of command 'due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to continue to serve in that position.' 'While the Commanding Officer's actions were not directly causal or contributing factors to the mishap itself, the Commanding General determined that he exhibited poor judgment, and was expected to exercise greater care in the performance of his duties,' military officials said. In response to the investigation, 3rd MAW has implemented multiple recommendations to its policy and training. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
