UXO Impedes Response To Helicopter Crash

Pine Valley, California A Marine AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter crashed in a remote area of Cleveland National Forest with ordnance onboard including live 2.75 inch rockets. Local firefighters, the military and the U.S. Forest Service worked together to respond to the crash. Due to the explosive hazard caused by the ordnance, the response team was restricted from entering the area of the crash site, which spanned approximately 2-acres.

A civilian helicopter was used to make water drops over the crash site while a Marine EOD unit was dispatched to the accident site to clear the area of UXO. The amount and type of UXO recovered from the scene by EOD was not reported.

The helicopter from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station was conducting a training mission out of El Centro. The helicopter crashed approximately 40 minuets after taking off. The cause of the accident is under investigation. The two pilots did not survive the crash.