According to an investigation report obtained by the Associated Press, it was revealed that the crash of a Marine Corps helicopter in California last year, which resulted in the deaths of 5 military personnel, was ultimately due to pilot error. However, the use of night vision goggles and unsafe flying conditions could also have contributed to the occurrence of the accident.
The CH-53 “Super Stallion” military helicopter crashed on February 6, 2024, in the late night hours while returning to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near Pine Valley, California.
Investigators found that multiple factors may have led to the crash, but similar to previous military aviation accidents, the lack of a flight data recorder that could survive a crash in the CH-53 helicopter meant that investigators had to make some assumptions.
The use of night vision goggles may have impaired the pilot’s ability to judge distances, and adverse weather conditions or light pollution could have caused a decrease in their performance.
At the time of the California air disaster, the Navy helicopter was flying in icing conditions, with low clouds obscuring the mountainous terrain along the flight path. Investigators discovered that the crew was using night vision goggles, but these devices likely did not provide the clear visuals needed to avoid colliding with the mountains.
Investigators found that rain and cloud cover could have degraded the performance of the night vision goggles, potentially leading the crew to make erroneous judgments, believing they were maintaining a safe distance for flight.
Investigators concluded that the failure of the pilot to avoid the mountains was the primary cause of the crash, however, they also found that the commander should not have authorized the crew to carry out the flight mission.
The “Super Stallion” helicopter disappeared during a nighttime flight from Creech Air Force Base back to Miramar and was found the next morning near Pine Valley mountainous area. All 5 Marine Corps members onboard perished in the crash.
Interviews documented in the report indicated that several members of the squadron expressed that due to additional tasks assigned to the unit, there was a shortage of manpower among the crew members.
As for the deadly mid-air collision between a military aircraft and a civilian plane near Reagan Washington National Airport in January of this year, the limitations of night vision goggles were also identified as a potential factor contributing to the accident, which resulted in the deaths of 67 individuals.