Copter Crashes But All Safe
Two Navy pilots were plucked safely from the ocean and two of their crewmen awaiting help in a life raft were rescued after a Sea King helicopter plunged into the sea southwest of San Diego during military exercises, authorities said.
Navy officials said the Sikorsky SH-3 helicopter with four men aboard crashed about 11:30 p.m. Friday, 86 miles offshore and about 10 miles from the aircraft carrier it had been assisting.
“From the time we learned the aircraft was in the water until the time we got them back to the ship was about 45 minutes,” said Cmdr. Bob Pritchard.
The pilots, Lt. Cmdr. Leroy Mills and Lt. Walter Beck, were fished out of the calm but chilly waters, and Petty Officer Charles Marcus and Airman Dale Brandt were found in a raft at the crash site by two rescue helicopters dispatched from the carrier Ranger.
No one was injured, although the men were treated for mild hypothermia.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
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