Fatal Marine helicopter crash in East County as a “pilot error” -NBC 7 San Diego

More than a year later, the official investigation of the cause of the fatal military helicopter accident, in which five marines were killed, has been completed. It happened on February 6, 2024 during the return flight of the CH-53E Super Stallion to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where all marines were based.

The soldiers were identified as:

• Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, from Olathe, Kansas, a CH-53E helicopter crew boss
• Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, from Chandler, Arizona, a CH-53E helicopter crew boss
• Captain Benjamin Moulton, 27, from Emmett, Idaho, a CH-53E helicopter pilot
• Capt. Jack Casey, 26, from Dover, New Hampshire, a CH-53E helicopter pilot
• Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, from Traverse City, Michigan, a CH-53E helicopter pilot

The US Marine Corps identified the five marines that were on the military helicopter, which crashed near Pine Valley. Dana Williams from NBC 7 has more about the killed service members.

The 1,140-page examination was published more than a year later on Wednesday. According to the edited version, which was published by the public, the crash as a “pilot error, which the Mishap pilot pilot does not maintain, was both maintained, both a secure obstacle cleaning and the visual requirements (visual fluid regulates), which led to a fatally controlled flight into the site,” the report said.

The report continued: “The investigation identified several additional factors, including the presence of moderate icing conditions and cloud layers along the Mishaproute, which prevented a safe transit on factor grounds.

As mentioned above, the investigation showed that the Tiger 43 crew, part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd Maw), had a training flight before leaving the Kreech air weapon air force to drive back to its home base. They had a planned stop at Imperial County Airport to get fuel, but it became a nightly precaution (PEL) after receiving warning signs through one of their engines.

Dana Williams from NBC 7 breaks out the latest information after a military officer had made a brief explanation of the helicopter accident, in which five US marines were killed near Pine Valley.

The investigation gave a certain discrepancy as to whether this was appropriately communicated or not. However, the problem was solved, the pilot called the squadron commander after the report to approve his return flight to Miramar. It was approved, but “the squadron exceeded its authority by approving the misfortune,” and the investigators found that it should be increased. This commanding officer was later relieved on November 18, “due to a loss of trust and trust in its ability to continue to serve,” said a media release that was sent by MAW to NBC 7.

The superstallion crew was finally overdue in Miramar and finally “Heard from 2330” or 11:30 p.m. according to the shipping records. The next day, several agencies, both the federal government and the local, responded to their last known location in the Pine Valley area to try to find the helicopter and marines. Unfortunately, all five marines were later found dead and protected by other marines until the investigators arrived, including 23-year-old Sgt. Alec Langen.

“It was probably the most difficult part to read from the time when he found everyone,” said Steve Langen, Alec's father, who also has experience as a navy on the CH-53E, to NBC 7.

Steve Langen said that he and his wife Alec's mother were personally informed by Marines a few weeks ago, who shared the complete, non -edited investigative conclusion with them, as well as the standard policy. He explained that they never wanted there to be a family with whom they would have to live [the responsibility]”It may have been a responsibility for the tragedy to know a person on the plane.

“As a parent, you want to believe that you have all made the decision together,” said Steve Langen.

Despite the entire examination, these last moments in front of the helicopter are never fully understood in the mountain ridge.

“Some restrictions presented during the examination process, including the inaccessibility of certain flight data on board and the exact real-time weather. The examination team assessed thoroughly in order to draw conclusions from the available data and analysis,” says the 3rd MAW media in which the completed report was announced.

That is exactly what has to change, said Steve Langen NBC 7. He said that he wanted to see that language recorder is added to the cockpit of military aircraft so that other families do not have to stay with persistent questions if this happens.

“Did you have a discussion? Has one man overridden the other? Had Alec said, let's turn around or said alec, let's go?” Said Steve Langen.

A spokesman for MAW declared that the inclusion of crash-over-over-stimulating recorders in the CH-53E in view of their limited remaining lifespan in the Marine Corps was too expensive.

“No, it won't bring him back. No, we won't be able to complete, but there will have to be some changes,” said Steve Langen.

The media publication from MAW added that “several recommendations to the police and the training in MAW were implemented in response to the investigation”.

To read the full report, click here.