All crew members survived after a US Navy helicopter crashed in Southern California on Thursday night, a military spokesperson confirmed.
- The MH-60R Seahawk descended into the waters of San Diego Bay at approximately 6:40 pm while engaged in a standard training exercise.
- According to Navy Cmdr. Beth Teach, a spokesman for the Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet, the MH-60R Seahawk hit the waters of San Diego Bay around 6:40 pm as it was performing a routine training exercise.
- “Due to the nature of the training, a safety boat was on location and, with the assistance of Federal Fire, all six crew members survived and were promptly moved ashore,” Teach said as per Fox 5 San Diego.
- All six crew members survived the crash.
- “All personnel are undergoing medical evaluation at this time.”
- The cause of the US Navy helicopter crash remains under investigation.
- The severity of the crew members’ injuries was not immediately known.
- According to Navy officials, none of them suffered serious or potentially fatal injuries.
- Personnel from the Fire Department and the US Coast Guard arrived at the crash scene at Coronado, which is located across an inlet from San Diego.
- The inquiry into the cause of the crash is still ongoing. The aircraft belonged to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41, the Navy said.
- According to its website, the fleet squadron is stationed at Naval Air Station North Island on the Coronado peninsula and trains air personnel on the MH-60R Seahawk.
- The primary helicopter used by the Navy for anti-submarine warfare is the MH-60R Seahawk. It can also carry out a broad range of missions, such as search and rescue and reconnaissance.