Five U.S. Marines Killed After A $71.3M Osprey Aircraft Crashed In The California Desert

Five U.S. Marines killed after a $71.3 million Osprey aircraft crashed in the California desert.

The Marine Corps denied reports suggesting the aircraft may have been carrying nuclear material.

The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tilt-rotor aircraft.

But its safety record has come under scrutiny as more than 40 have died while flying on Osprey since 1991.

Each unit of the Osprey, which can carry 24 Marine combat troops, cost $71.3 million.

The US Marine Corps have confirmed that an MV-22B Osprey aircraft carrying five Marines crashed during a training mission on Wednesday in the California desert, killing all onboard.

Lt. Duane Kampa, a spokesman for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said equipment recovery efforts “have begun” and an investigation into the incident involving a MV-22B Osprey is “underway.”

The Marine Corps denied reports circulating on social media suggesting the aircraft may have been carrying nuclear material.

“There was no nuclear material on board the aircraft,” Kampa said in a previous statement.

“We mourn the loss of our Marines in this tragic mishap. Our hearts go out to their families and friends as they cope with this tragedy,” Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement on Thursday.

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The Marine Corps is not identifying the service members “until 24-hours after all next-of-kin notifications have been completed,” Kampa said, citing policy.

Rolls-Royce T406-powered Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing and short takeoff and landing capabilities – just like a helicopter.

But the aircraft’s safety record has come under scrutiny as more than 40 people have died while flying on Osprey aircrafts since 1991.

Four US service members were killed when the MV-22B Osprey aircraft they were traveling in crashed during NATO training exercises in Norway in March.

Each unit of the Osprey, which can carry 24 Marine combat troops, according to Military.com, cost $71.3 million ($71,300,000).

According to the Navy, it is used by the U.S. Marine Corps for the “transportation of troops, equipment and supplies from ships and land bases for combat assault and assault support,”.

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