2016 United States Marine Corps helicopter collision

On January 14, 2016, two Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters of the United States Marine Corps reportedly collided over the Pacific Ocean, off Oahu's North Shore, in Hawaii.[1][2] Each helicopter had six U.S. Marines aboard. A search and rescue operation was undertaken, and a debris field from the two craft was located.[3][4] On January 20, the twelve crew members were declared deceased.[5]

2016 United States Marine Corps helicopter collision
A US Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion similar to ones involved
Accident
DateJanuary 14, 2016 (2016-01-14)
SummaryMid-air collision
SiteOff Oahu, Hawaii, United States
Total fatalities12 (all)
Total survivors0
First aircraft
TypeSikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
OperatorUnited States Marine Corps (USMC)
Occupants6
Fatalities6
Second aircraft
TypeSikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
OperatorUSMC
Occupants6
Fatalities6

In April, 2016, the remains of nine of the twelve crew members were recovered, as well as large portions of the wreckage. Three of the crew members have never been found.[6]

Accident and rescue operation
Kaneohe Bay, in background. Mokapu Peninsula, the site of the Marine air station, is in the middle-ground

The two aircraft departed in the late evening hours on a routine training mission, from the Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, and flew over the North Shore in the vicinity of Haleiwa. Local residents later reported hearing two distinct explosions.[4] A resident on a beach reported seeing the two helicopters flying in the distance, then a fireball.[7]

A massive search and rescue operation was undertaken, involving the United States Air Force,[8] Coast Guard, Marines, Army MEDEVAC helicopter crews and Navy, along with the Honolulu Fire Department[9][10] and Police Department.[11] The search and rescue operation ended on January 19.[12] Wreckage of the two helicopters was found in 325 feet (99 m) of water. All four of the life rafts were also found on the surface during the 5-day search, but there was no evidence that they had ever been used by the helicopter crews.[13]

Aftermath

On January 20, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter made a statement honoring the crew members. "These proud Marines died as they lived, in service to a country they loved and in dedication to a cause greater than themselves," Carter said. Carter thanked the Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine personnel for their involvement in rescue operations.[14] A memorial service for the lost Marines was held Friday, January 22 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.[15]

The two helicopters belonged to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. The twelve Marines on board were all from the contiguous United States. Two each were from Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Texas; and one each were from Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon and South Carolina.[16]

Investigation

The Marine Corps will lead an investigation into the incident, which will include salvaging the fuselages of the two helicopters. The wreckage was located approximately two miles off shore, under 325 feet of water. The announced recovery operation included plans to find the remains of the missing crew, so they can be returned to their families. A board will review the evidence surrounding the crash.[15]

References
  1. "Helicopters that crashed off Oahu known as powerful, agile". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  2. Rogers, Katie. "Search for 12 Marines Continues After Hawaii Helicopter Crash". The New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  3. "Marine From Hingham Missing After Hawaiian Helicopter Crash". CBS News. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  4. "Hawaii helicopter crash: debris sighted as search continues for missing marines". The Guardian. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  5. "Search Called Off For 12 Missing Marines In Hawaii Helicopter Crash". WBUR-FM. Archived from the original on 2016-01-22. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  6. "Military recovers 9 of 12 Marines killed in Hawaii crash, but not Minnesotan". Minnesota Star Tribune via the Associated Press. April 15, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-04-16. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  7. Kelleher, Jennifer; Riker, Marina. "Massive search off Hawaii for 12 missing Marines suspended". The Daily Dunklin Democrat via Associated Press. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  8. "Marine Helicopters Crash off Oahu, Search Under Way". ABC News. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  9. "Search for 12 Marines in Hawaii Helicopter Crash Hampered by Weather". NBC News. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  10. "Search for 12 Marines continues after Hawaii helicopter crash". WGN-TV. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  11. "Search by air, sea for 12 missing Marines enters 4th day". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  12. "Search suspended for Marines missing in Hawaii helicopter crash". CNN. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  13. "Coast Guard suspends search for 12 missing Marines". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  14. "Secretary of Defense Ash Carter Statement on Marine Helicopter Tragedy". US Department of Defense. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  15. "Search for 12 Marines ends without finding survivors after helicopters crash". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  16. "Marine Corps lists identities of 12 missing in Hawaii chopper collision". Reuters. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
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