Marines Investigating Copter Collision
Marine investigators on Sunday sifted through the wreckage of a CH-46 Sea Knight that collided with another helicopter, killing two Marines from Orange County in the desert east of Reno.
“They’ve been at the crash site since 6 (Sunday) morning . . . but they have no conclusions at this time,” said Capt. Katie Haddock, a spokeswoman at the Fallon Naval Air Station in Nevada.
Investigators from the Aircraft Mishap Board are expected to continue their examination today of the wreck, which also injured seven.
A morning Mass at the Naval Air Station was dedicated Sunday to the two women who died, Sgt. Brenda L. Schroeder, 29, a mother of four, and Cpl. Lisa D. Tutt, 22, both of Santa Ana. A memorial service has been scheduled for 12:30 p.m. today at the Naval Air Station.
The two helicopters from El Toro’s Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 had flown to Fallon a week ago to participate in a 14-day exercise nicknamed “High-Roller.” They were at about 1,000 feet in a tactical formation and the skies were clear when the accident occurred.
The helicopters were not involved in the “High-Roller” exercise when the accident occurred, a Marine spokesman said.
The Marines were on their first “indoctrination flight” in a CH-46 at the time of the accident.
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.
