4 Killed in Crash of Marine Copter at Camp Pendleton

A Marine Corps transport helicopter flying a nighttime training mission in a remote area of Camp Pendleton crashed and burned, killing all four Marines aboard.

It was the second fatal accident involving the CH-46E Sea Knight Marine helicopter in less than seven months. A February crash just east of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station killed three Marine reservists.

The Thursday crash occurred at 9 p.m. in a remote corner of the Marine base during what a Marine spokesman described as very hazy conditions. The site is about six miles northwest of Fallbrook and 10 miles east of Interstate 5. The helicopter, according to the military, apparently crashed into the hills surrounding a flat mesa about 2,000 feet above sea level.

Maj. H. C. Polacke, a Marine spokesman, said it appeared that the helicopter was flying beneath a blanket of clouds and was using visual flight rules when it crashed. A companion helicopter apparently reported the accident. Polacke said investigators would remain at the accident site Friday night.

Killed in the accident were the pilot, 1st Lt. Chris R. Toburen, 27, of Laguna Hills; co-pilot 1st Lt. Scott R. Hiester, 27, Mission Viejo; crew chief Lance Cpl. Todd B. Kershner, 20, Lomax, Ill., and an observer, 1st Lt. Christopher A. Tanner, 27, Malvern, Ark.

“The helicopter was participating in routine night training at the time of the mishap,” Marine spokesman Maj. Tom Mitchell said. He said the helicopter belonged to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164, Group 16, 3rd Air Wing at the Marine Air Station at Tustin.

Mitchell said the helicopter had taken off from Tustin and was scheduled to return to the air station. About 70 of Sea Knight helicopters are stationed at Tustin.