A report issued by Naval investigators examining the events surrounding the January 16 crash of an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter outside of Corpus Christi has attributed the accident to a sense of confusion among the helicopter’s pilot and crew, and a “loss of situational awareness.”
The MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter, from the nearby Naval Station Corpus Christi, was conducting a series of night training exercises when it hit a 1,000-foot television tower. The Naval investigators’ report concluded that the crew misinterpreted the areas cloud cover as well as their helicopter’s navigation equipment. Communication records from the helicopter revealed that its pilot and crew actually believed themselves to be almost 10 miles closer to Corpus Christi than they were.
That would have put them safely out of the way of the television tower. Due to the confusion the helicopter was flying much to low for safety. No evidence of alcohol or drug use was present in the pilot or his crew.
The accident killed three and injured one. Among those killed in the crash were Lt. Joshua Gross, the co-pilot, Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander LeMarr, and Petty Officer 2nd Class David Davison. The helicopters pilot Lt. Cmdr. Howard B. Fabacher was injured.
A report issued by Naval investigators examining the events surrounding the January 16 crash of an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter outside of Corpus Christi has attributed the accident to a sense of confusion among the helicopter’s pilot and crew, and a “loss of situational awareness.”
The MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter, from the nearby Naval Station Corpus Christi, was conducting a series of night training exercises when it hit a 1,000-foot television tower. The Naval investigators’ report concluded that the crew misinterpreted the areas cloud cover as well as their helicopter’s navigation equipment. Communication records from the helicopter revealed that its pilot and crew actually believed themselves to be almost 10 miles closer to Corpus Christi than they were.
That would have put them safely out of the way of the television tower. Due to the confusion the helicopter was flying much to low for safety. No evidence of alcohol or drug use was present in the pilot or his crew.
The accident killed three and injured one. Among those killed in the crash were Lt. Joshua Gross, the co-pilot, Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander LeMarr, and Petty Officer 2nd Class David Davison. The helicopters pilot Lt. Cmdr. Howard B. Fabacher was injured.
