The U.S. Marine Corps has confirmed the loss of five Marines after their CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed in the mountainous terrain outside San Diego, California, during a training mission.
Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, expressed his grief over the tragic passing of five exceptional Marines from the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the ‘Flying Tigers’ during a training flight.
He extended his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the deceased Marines, assuring them of unwavering support and care in this extremely challenging period. He added, “We recognize the inherent dangers of military service, yet the loss of any life remains profoundly challenging.”
The crash occurred on Tuesday, February 6, 2023, around 11:30 p.m. as the helicopter returned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.
The military is withholding the identities of the Marines until 24 hours after next-of-kin notifications.
Assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the Super Stallion vanished under stormy conditions.
Search efforts began immediately, leading to the discovery of the wreckage near Pine Valley, California, about 45 miles east of San Diego.
This challenging terrain became the focus of an intense search and recovery operation, further complicated by heavy snowfall from a historic storm.
The CH-53E Super Stallion, the military’s largest helicopter, has been a critical asset for global heavy-lifting duties for over three decades. Approximately 152 of the Sikorsky-built aircraft are presently in service for military use.
The helicopter has, however, encountered its share of operational difficulties, including emergency situations and fatal accidents.
This model was involved in a tragic incident on April 3, 2018, in El Centro, which resulted in the death of four Marines.
Dawn Beckham, who lost her son, Lance Corporal Taylor Conrad, aged 24, in the 2018 incident, expressed her sorrow upon learning of the crash Tuesday in Pine Valley that bore striking similarities to the one that claimed her son’s life. From her office in Texas, Beckham drew parallels between the two crashes, noting the shared helicopter model and the connection to Miramar.
Following the 2018 disaster, lawsuits were initiated against the manufacturers and suppliers of certain helicopter components.
David Casey, Jr., the attorney representing the families, mentioned a Marine investigation that identified a faulty part, leading to legal action against the involved companies. The lawsuit concluded with a confidential settlement some years later.
In January 2020, another incident occurred when a Marine Corps helicopter executed a “precautionary” landing near the I-15 freeway due to a generator failure, though no injuries were reported.
There are several other documented incidents involving the CH-53E Super Stallion, including a 2002 crash in Afghanistan due to mechanical issues, a 2014 sea crash in the Gulf of Aden where all aboard survived, and a 2016 collision near Oahu that led to a search for 12 Marines.
Retired Colonel Eric Buer highlighted the helicopter’s overall positive record despite these incidents, attributing issues to aircraft fatigue and human factors.
The CH-53E has been a part of the Marine Corps fleet since the 1980s and is slated for replacement in the near future.
