4 Dead & 1 Missing as USMC MV-22B Osprey Crashes in California Desert

A USMC Bell-Boeing MV-22B Osprey, operated by 3rd MAW, crashed near Glamis, Imperial County, California. 4 occupants died in the crash and a fifth is missing

The MV-22B Osprey belonged to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based at Camp Pendleton and went down at 12:25 p.m. during training, said Maj. Mason Englehart, spokesman for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, an aviation unit headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in San Diego, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) west of the crash site near the community of Glamis in Imperial County.

The tiltrotor aircraft can take off and land like a helicopter but transit as a turboprop aircraft.

The crash was confirmed by Naval Air Facility El Centro.

‘We can confirm that an aircraft belonging to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed near Glamis, CA,’ they stated on their Facebook page. ‘3rd MAW has units based in Miramar, Yuma, Pendleton, and Twentynine Palms. Military and civilian first responders are on site.

‘Contrary to initial reports, there was no nuclear material on board the aircraft. More information will be made available as we receive it.’

The crash happened about 12:25 pm local time, said 1st Lt. Duane Kampa, a 3rd MAW spokesman.

Officials believe at least five people were aboard at the time of the crash.

Investigators have presumed all passengers are dead, according to iHeartMedia reporter Malik Earnest.

Footage from News 11 Yuma showed military personnel and first responders gathering in the desert, with a helicopter flying off to the crash site. Smoke could be faintly seen on the horizon.

Ospreys are flown by the Marines, Navy, and Air Force to transport troops and equipment. It is a tiltrotor aircraft that has a higher top speed and longer range than a helicopter but can hover and land in a similar manner.