A West Coast-based AH-1Z Viper assault helicopter crashed in a Southern California desert throughout a coaching flight on Thursday night, the Marine Corps mentioned.
One pilot was taken to Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley, Calif., for remedy and was later confirmed lifeless, the third Marine Plane Wing mentioned in an announcement. The second pilot was taken to Desert Regional Medical Heart in Palm Springs, the place the pilot was in steady situation as of Friday afternoon.
The 2-seat helicopter, belonging to the “Gunfighters’ of Marine Gentle Assault Helicopter Squadron 369, crashed at about 7:05 p.m. native in a distant space known as Imperial Gables, about 36 miles north of Yuma, Ariz., and 45 miles northeast of El Centro, Calif., the service mentioned. The crew was flying a coaching mission in help of Marine Corps Weapons and Ways Teacher Course 1-26, a seven-week course that runs by Oct. 26 and is hosted at Yuma Marine Corps Air Station.
The identify of the deceased pilot gained’t be launched “till 24 hours in any case subsequent of kin notifications have been accomplished,” third MAW mentioned. The wing is predicated at MCAS Miramar in San Diego.
“It’s with profound disappointment that I share the lack of a Marine from third Marine Plane Wing and the ‘Gunfighters’ whereas conducting a coaching flight in help of the Marine Corps Weapons and Ways Teacher Course,” Maj. Gen. James Wellons, the commanding normal of third MAW, mentioned in an announcement. “This Marine made the final word sacrifice, and we’re eternally grateful for his selfless dedication and willingness to enter hurt’s method. To the household, pals, and family members of our fallen Marine, we ship our deepest condolences and provide our unwavering help throughout this time of grief.”
HMLA-369 is primarily based at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Air Station and is a part of Marine Plane Group 39.
No details about the mishap investigation course of or security board was supplied. “To protect the integrity of the continuing investigation, no extra particulars can be found presently. Mishap investigations can take a number of months to finish, relying on varied elements,” a wing spokesperson mentioned Friday in a response to an inquiry.
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