Did You Know? Marine Chopper makes Emergency Landing at Solana Beach - CH-53E Super Stallion.

2015-06-04T21:54:44-04:00

San Diego, California -- A fluid leak forced the crew of a Marine helicopter on a routine training flight out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, to make a safe precautionary landing at Del Mar Shores Beach yesterday. The CH-53E Super Stallion landed around 11:30 a.m. on a strip of sand off the 700 block of South Sierra Avenue, just north of Del Mar, Sheriff Officer Lt. James Bolwerk said. The pilots and crew member aboard the aircraft were uninjured and walking around the beach following the landing in an area known as “Rock Piles.”

Preliminary investigation determined the crew of the copter decided to land due to the aircraft’s low pressure indicator alerting them, according to Bolwerk. The low pressure indicator is an alert system used when there is an issue with the engine.

“The pilots did exactly what they were supposed to do, find a good, safe place to put the aircraft down and check it out,” Rich Martindell, military aviation expert.

Marine mechanics were able to get the aircraft, assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, sufficiently patched up for it to be flown off the beach about 3:30 p.m. The pilots flew the aircraft to the west parking lot of the Del Mar Fairgrounds for further evaluation.

The CH-53, a heavy lift copter, is known to be flown out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Camp Pendleton. It is the largest and heaviest helicopter used by the United States military. The two-pilot helicopter can hold up to 37 troops while in flight.

Lifeguards and firefighters assisted military crews with shoveling oil off the beach and into yellow buckets. The beach will be open to the public today.

https://youtu.be/7ic_qz0we4Q

Marine Chopper makes Emergency Landing at Solana Beach - CH-53E Super Stallion

San Diego, California -- A fluid leak forced the crew of a Marine helicopter on a routine training flight out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, to make a ...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 10:00 PM

2015-06-04T22:00:08-04:00

Great job by the crew to make the landing safely!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 11:27 PM

2015-06-04T23:27:49-04:00

That's how the Decepticons roll... like a boss.

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made Jun 5 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-06-05T13:12:44-04:00

You have to know when to make the call. Sometimes it is what it is. You can't help when and where you break down, and a life isn't worth risking foolishly. They say any landing you can walk away from is a good landing. Kudos to you guys!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-06-13T14:40:06-04:00

That is why we train emergency procedures!