SAN DIEGO, Jan. 26, 2007
Navy Searches Pacific For Crash Survivors
3 Missing, 1 Dead After Seahawk Helicopter Went Down On Training Mission
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The Seahawk, similar to the one pictured above, was on a mission from the USS Bonhomme Richard, west of the Camp Pendleton Marine base. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)
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The sailor died after being pulled alive from the water, said Navy spokesman Cmdr. Jack Hanzlik.
"It's a sad time whenever we lose shipmates like this, so our hearts and prayers go out to the families," Hanzlik said.
The helicopter, based at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, was on a training mission when it crashed about 50 miles (80.4 kilometers) off the California coast. The MH-60S, commonly known as a Seahawk, was on a mission off the USS Bonhomme Richard, directly west of the Camp Pendleton Marine base.
Hanzlik said the helicopter crew put out a mayday call before the crash. Navy sailors and Marines who were training with them aboard ship arrived at the crash site in inflatable boats within minutes.
The sailor pulled alive from the water died aboard the Bonhomme Richard while receiving medical attention, the Navy said.
His name was being withheld pending family notification. The names and rank of the others aboard also had not been released.
It was not clear whether mechanical malfunction or pilot error might have contributed to the crash, the Navy said. An investigation was under way.
Hanzlik said he did not know what type of maneuver the helicopter was performing when it crashed.
The USS Bonhomme Richard is an amphibious assault craft that took Marines to Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami.
The MH-60 Sierra is a twin-turbine craft based on the UH-60L Black Hawk and the Navy's SH-60B Seahawk, according to the manufacturer, United Technologies Corp.'s Sikorsky Aircraft. It is designed to operate off aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and frigates, ranging up to 100 nautical miles from the ship.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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- this comment is for the ignorance of the fact that "training mission accidents WILL happen. Guess they need more training."
Your words sadden me.
...there are lost lives and families grieving...
As a Navy Wife, I pray daily for the safety of every American Military man or woman who is serving this great country.
I am proud to be a daughter and sister of former marines. Also, I am a niece to a former marine, army, air forece and coast guard uncles. - Reply to this comment
- this comment is for the ignorance of the fact that "training mission accidents WILL happen. Guess they need more training."
Your words sadden me.
...there are lost lives and families grieving...
As a Navy Wife, I pray daily for the safety of every American Military man or woman who is serving this great country.
I am proud to be a daughter and sister of former marines. Also, I am a niece to a former marine, army, air forece and coast guard uncles. - Reply to this comment
- "kerimparrot"
What a emotionless, cold-hearted thing to say. No additional coments are warranted. - Reply to this comment
- "kerimparrot"
I pray that you don't personally need the Marines one day!
They'll still save your behind, and die trying!
However, you will get looks that would make you feel about an inch tall!
Give some respect to the Marine Corps, and their fallen...and remember where you may be if it wasn't for them.
Take it to the bank from a former sailor! - Reply to this comment
- Navy=water
Air Force= air
Let the pros take over.
When there are actions such as these training missions accidents WILL happen.
Guess they need more training. - Reply to this comment
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