A US Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter crashed into San Diego Bay during a routine training exercise on Thursday night, and in a stroke of fortune, all six crew members on board survived the incident. The aircraft, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41, went down at approximately 6:40 pm.
Navy Cmdr. Beth Teach, spokesperson for the Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet, confirmed that the crash occurred during a routine training exercise, and the helicopter hit the waters of San Diego Bay.
“Due to the nature of the training, a safety boat was on location, and with the assistance of Federal Fire, all six crew members survived and were promptly moved ashore,” stated Cmdr. Beth Teach, as reported by Fox 5 San Diego. “All personnel are undergoing medical evaluation at this time.”
Emergency response personnel from the Fire Department and the US Coast Guard swiftly arrived at the crash site in Coronado, located across an inlet from San Diego. The exact cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
Despite the potentially perilous nature of the incident, Navy officials have indicated that none of the crew members suffered serious or life-threatening injuries. The crew was immediately transported to shore for medical assessments.
The MH-60R Seahawk, the primary helicopter employed by the Navy for anti-submarine warfare, is versatile and capable of performing various missions, including search and rescue and reconnaissance operations. The aircraft is affiliated with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41 and is stationed at Naval Air Station North Island on the Coronado peninsula.
While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, these events underscore the high-stakes training exercises undertaken by military personnel, emphasizing the significance of safety measures in place to protect the lives of those involved. The Naval community is relieved that this incident resulted in no fatal or critical injuries, and attention now turns to the investigative process to determine the factors leading to the crash.