Home Americas US Navy halts flight ops after series of crashes

US Navy halts flight ops after series of crashes

USMC Ospreys in Japan
US Marine Corps file photo

A series of recent crashes involving US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft has led the service to order a “safety pause” for all non-deployed units.

During the pause in flight operations, navy aviation units will take the time to review risk-management practices and conduct training on threat and error-management processes.

Commander, Naval Air Forces, directed all units to conduct the safety pause on June 13.

The decision follows three separate crashes that occurred this month. Six service members lost their lives in these accidents.

The first was the June 3 fatal crash of a F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Trona, California.

That crash was followed by the loss of five US Marines in the crash of an MV-22B Osprey on June 8 during a training mission east of San Diego.

The most recent crash occurred a day later and saw a navy helicopter crash near El Centro. No lives were lost in the accident, with one of the four crew members being taken to hospital for non life-threatening injuries.

“In order to maintain the readiness of our force, we must ensure the safety of our people remains one of our top priorities. Deployed units will conduct the safety pause at the earliest possible opportunity,” the navy said.