Marine Helicopter's Hard Landing Kills 1, Injures 11 at Camp Lejeune

A Marine helicopter hard landing killed one and injured 11 at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune on Wednesday.

Details about what exactly caused the accident are not available as the incident is under investigation, a press release from the U.S. Marine Corps said. The name of the Marine who was killed will not be released for 24 hours.

"A hard landing is when an aircraft impacts the ground with a greater vertical speed and force than a normal landing, typically after a rapid or steep descent," the release said.

After the incident, seven Marines were treated at the Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, with six evaluated and released and one admitted in stable condition. Four other Marines were transferred to Onslow Memorial Hospital, three of whom were evaluated and scheduled to be released, while one was in stable condition and transferred to another North Carolina hospital.

“The command’s priorities are to make contact with the families of the involved Marines as quickly as possible to provide them with the status of their loved ones,” said Capt. Kendra Motz, deputy director of II MEF Public Affairs. “We want to ensure the Marines and family members of the units involved in the mishap have easy access to any help they may need after this tragic event.”

The release said the landing accident occurred during nighttime training exercises at the camp, around 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was part of the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, according to the press release.

Pat McCroy, governor of North Carolina, expressed his sorrow at the Marine's death online:



Related Stories:

• Marine Helicopter in Nepal: Wreckage Found, but No Sign of Survivors
• Marine Osprey Crash in Hawaii Claims Life of Second Corporal