Eleven Others Hurt When CH-53E Went Down At Camp Lejeune

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter belonging to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing experienced a hard landing while conducting training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., at approximately 9 p.m. Sept. 2, 2015, resulting in one fatality and 11 injured U.S. Marines, the Marine Corps said Thursday in a news release.

According to Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, one Marine was transferred there via air MEDEVAC and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Seven Marines were treated initially at NHCL; six have been evaluated and have been released while one has been admitted and is in stable condition. Additionally, four Marines were transferred to Onslow Memorial Hospital.

Three have been evaluated and scheduled for release. One Marine was reported in stable condition and was transferred to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, N.C.
A hard landing is when an aircraft impacts the ground with a greater vertical speed and force than a normal landing, typically after a rapid or steep descent. II Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs will provide updates once received.

“The command’s priorities are to make contact with the families of the involved Marines as quickly as possible to provide them with the status of their loved ones,” said Capt. Kendra Motz, deputy director of II MEF Public Affairs. “We want to ensure the Marines and family members of the units involved in the mishap have easy access to any help they may need after this tragic event.”

The identity of our lost service member will be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin has been notified. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.

The incident is under investigation and no additional details are available at this time.

(CH-53E pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.marines.mil