Six people are feared dead after horrific helicopter crash in California marking the state’s second FATAL accident in under a week: Sheriff says NO survivors have been located
- Officials said the helicopter crashed late Friday evening near Nipton on the edge of the Mojave Desert
- The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC 130, had six people on board at the time of the incident
- It comes just days after a Navy helicopter carrying five troops crashed during a routine training flight in Pine Valley, California
A helicopter with six people on board crashed overnight in San Bernardino County. Authorities say they have been unable to find any survivors.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said they were notified of the downed plane near Baker on Friday shortly after 10 p.m.
In a statement they said: ‘We cannot confirm how many people were on board or what their names are. No survivors have been located.”
The FAA confirmed that the Eurocopter EC 130 crashed near Nipton on the edge of the Mojave Desert Preserve, and east of the 15 Freeway near Halloran Springs.
According to NBCthe helicopter is registered to a Burbank-based tour company called Orbic Air.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said they were notified of the downed plane near Baker on Friday shortly after 10 p.m.
The FAA confirmed that the Eurocopter EC 130 crashed near Nipton on the edge of the Mojave Desert Preserve, and east of the 15 Freeway near Halloran Springs.
The FAA confirmed that the Eurocopter EC 130, the same model seen here, crashed near Nipton on the edge of the Mojave Desert Preserve,
The crash comes just days after a Navy helicopter carrying five Marines crashed during a storm in the mountains of Southern California on Tuesday evening.
The five men have been identified as: Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas; Sergeant Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona; Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho; Captain Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire; and Captain Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan.
Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, 3rd MAW Commanding General, said, “It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the Flying Tigers while conducting a training flight. .
“These pilots and crew members served a calling greater than themselves and were proud of it.
“We will be forever grateful for their dedication to duty and selfless service. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of our fallen Marines and are committed to ensuring your support and care during this incredibly difficult time.”
The young men were all assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Miramar
Several agencies launched a desperate search early Wednesday after the helicopter was reported missing.
Efforts have been made to recover the remains of the five and an investigation into the crash is underway, according to the statement.
The helicopter took off from Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday evening and was en route to the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar when it went missing.
The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was last reported in the Cleveland National Forest, near the U.S.-Mexico border and about 56 miles east of its destination.
The area is currently covered in snow, complicating the search, officials said.