US Navy helicopter crashes into Southern California bay

Post by : Dr. Amrinder Pal Singh

A US Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter crashed in Southern California during a routine training exercise on Thursday night, but all six crew members survived, confirmed Navy Cmdr. Beth Teach, a spokesperson for the Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet. The incident occurred at approximately 6:40 pm when the helicopter hit the waters of San Diego Bay. Due to the nature of the training, a safety boat was on location, and with the assistance of Federal Fire, all crew members were successfully moved ashore. Currently, all personnel are undergoing medical evaluation.

While the severity of injuries is not immediately known, Navy officials reported that none of the crew members suffered serious or potentially fatal injuries. Fire Department and US Coast Guard personnel responded to the crash scene at Coronado, across an inlet from San Diego. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The helicopter belonged to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41, stationed at Naval Air Station North Island on the Coronado peninsula. The squadron's primary role is to train air personnel on the MH-60R Seahawk, the Navy's primary helicopter for anti-submarine warfare, with capabilities extending to missions such as search and rescue and reconnaissance.

The incident underscores the importance of safety measures during training exercises, and the ongoing inquiry will provide insights into the factors leading to the crash. Naval authorities continue to prioritize the well-being and medical evaluation of the crew members involved.