Two Marine pilots died in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Arizona, according to the US Marine Corps.
The two pilots were conducting a routine training mission when the AH-1Z Viper helicopter crashed around 8:45 p.m. PT.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, according to a release from the Marine Corps.
The pilots’ names are being withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification, according to the statement.
The pilots were conducting a training mission as part of weapons and tactical instructor course, according to the Marine Corps. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Capt. Gabriel Adibe, a Marine Corps spokesman, said the helicopter crashed on the vast Marine Corps Air Station Yuma training grounds but no additional information was immediately available.
The names of the pilots who died have not been released pending notification of their families.
The station is located about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from Yuma and the 1,300-square-mile (3,367-square-kilometer) training ground is one of the world’s largest military installations.
There have been several fatal crashes involving Marine Corps aircraft near Yuma over the years.
