A U.S. Navy electronic-warfare aircraft crashed into San Diego Bay earlier this week, resulting in injuries to two pilots onboard. The incident involved a Boeing EA-18G Growler, which was successfully rescued following the mishap, highlighting the risks faced by military personnel during training exercises and operations.
This crash comes amid a troubling pattern of non-combat aviation accidents within the military, which have claimed numerous lives in recent years. As a stark reminder of these dangers, here are six of the deadliest non-combat military aviation incidents that have occurred over the past five years.
On February 6, 2024, five Marines tragically lost their lives when their CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter went missing during severe weather conditions in the mountains near San Diego. The aircraft, which had departed from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, lost contact amidst rain and snow while en route to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
In another incident on November 29, 2023, eight Air Force Special Operations members died when their CV-22B Osprey crashed off the coast of southern Japan during a training mission. The aircraft was heading to Okinawa when it encountered issues, leading to the temporary grounding of the entire Osprey fleet following the tragedy. Investigators later determined that mechanical failures, including cracks in a metal gear, contributed to the crash.
On November 10, 2023, five U.S. Army Special Operations soldiers perished when their helicopter crashed into the eastern Mediterranean Sea during a nighttime training exercise. The MH-60 Blackhawk was engaged in routine flight maneuvers when it went down, prompting condolences from high-ranking officials, including President Biden, who honored the service members’ commitment to the nation.
A collision between two Army helicopters in Kentucky on March 9, 2023, resulted in the deaths of nine service members. The two HH-60 Black Hawks from the 101st Airborne Division were conducting a training exercise when the tragic incident occurred, underscoring the risks associated with military aviation training.
Another fatal incident took place on June 8, 2022, when five Marines died during a training mission in Southern California. Their MV-22B Osprey crashed in the desert due to a mechanical failure related to a clutch issue, leading to engine failure and the tragic loss of life.
Lastly, on August 31, 2021, a U.S. Navy helicopter crash resulted in the deaths of five crew members when the MH-60S Seahawk went down approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of San Diego. The helicopter was conducting routine operations when a mechanical issue caused it to spin uncontrollably before plummeting into the ocean.
These incidents serve as a sobering reminder of the inherent dangers faced by military personnel during training and operational missions, as well as the critical importance of safety measures and equipment reliability in aviation. The Navy and other branches of the armed forces continue to investigate these accidents to prevent future tragedies and ensure the safety of their service members.