Pedro: (00:00)
At least four US Marines are believed to be dead and one is still missing after our military aircraft crashes in the Southern California desert.
Cher: (00:07)
The crash happened about 100 miles east of San Diego, and just southeast of the Salton Sea. The aircraft, which can take off like a helicopter and fly like a plane, belonged to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Pedro: (00:20)
KTLA’s Chris Wolfe joins us live from Hollywood with more on this tragedy, Chris.
Chris Wolfe: (00:25)
Pedro and Cher, the aircraft involved here was a hybrid called an Osprey, as you said, it’s a combination helicopter and airplane. It is highly controversial with a troubled history.
Speaker 4: (00:40)
At this time we’re assuming all confirmed deceased.
Chris Wolfe: (00:43)
A deadly crash in the Southern California desert is the latest crisis involving a military aircraft known as the Osprey. A spokesman for the US Marine Corps says an MV-22B version of the Osprey carrying five Marines crashed in a remote area near the Naval air facility in El Centro, about 100 miles east of San Diego. Military officials say four Marines are confirmed dead, and a fifth is missing. They were based at Camp Pendleton, with Marine Aircraft Group 39.
Chris Wolfe: (01:17)
Contrary to early reports, officials say the aircraft was not carrying nuclear material. The cause is under investigation, but Osprey has a long history of controversy and crashes, the subject of multiple investigative news pieces over the years. In a testing period between 1991 and 2000 Osprey’s crashed four times in non combat operations causing 30 fatalities. And 60 Minutes reported…
Speaker 5: (01:46)
Ever since its initial test flights, like this one in 1991, the Osprey has been in trouble.
Rich Martindell: (01:58)
Guys I’ve talked to that fly the airplane like it very much, they say it is flies well, and they have fixed a lot of problems. But it does have a high accident rate compared to other cargo aircraft.
Chris Wolfe: (02:09)
Three times higher, according to aviation expert, Rich Martindell. The Marines, Navy and Air Force fly Ospreys to transport troops, equipment and supplies.
Chris Wolfe: (02:21)
The crash in Southern California comes just three months after a similar aircraft and MV-22B Osprey went down in Norway during a training flight, 4 US Marines were killed in that tragedy. Live in Hollywood, Chris Wolfe, KTLA 5 News.