Army Pilot Missing After Helicopter Crash in Ocean
The Navy abandoned its search Tuesday for an Army airman who disappeared when his helicopter crashed in the ocean off Southern California.
Petty Officer Rex Kramer said the helicopter’s other crewman was rescued shortly after the crash about 10:30 p.m. Monday by a second helicopter that was also participating in training operations. He was taken to Los Alamitos Hospital in Los Alamitos, where his condition was unknown. Neither member of the ill-fated craft was identified by the military.
Kramer said both helicopters were on night operations with the Navy tank landing ship Fresno and were on routine maneuvers required to maintain the proficiency of helicopter crews who operate at sea. The soldiers involved in the crash were stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Chief Petty Officer Paul Versailles said searchers were unable to pinpoint where the helicopter went down, and that they combed the waters “between San Clemente Island and Dana Point,” Versailles said.
The Navy searched through the night and until 12:30 p.m. Tuesday before abandoning its efforts, Kramer said.
Navy and Coast Guard searchers could find no sign of the missing crewman or the OH-6 light observation helicopter.
“The on-scene commanders terminated the search,” Kramer said. “They didn’t even find the wreckage.”
Kramer said that the cause of the crash will be investigated by the Army.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
