<mediadc-video-embed data-state="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"00000161-3486-d333-a9e9-76c6fbf30000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b93390000"},"cms.content.publishDate":1654721173973,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"0000017d-fe9d-da96-ad7d-ffbf8a5c0000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"cms.content.updateDate":1654721173973,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"0000017d-fe9d-da96-ad7d-ffbf8a5c0000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"rawHtml":"
var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_54713487", "obj": {"id":"27789","width":"16","height":"9","video":"1028431"} }); ","_id":"00000181-4511-d702-a3cf-4fd1533d0000","_type":"2f5a8339-a89a-3738-9cd2-3ddf0c8da574"}”>Video EmbedA military aircraft crashed Wednesday afternoon in Imperial County, California.
The aircraft, an MV-22B Osprey belonging to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing with five Marines onboard, was not carrying nuclear materials, contrary to what was said in initial reports, when it crashed near Glamis around 12:25 p.m., the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
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“Five Marines were onboard the aircraft, and we are awaiting confirmation on the status of all members of the crew,” the statement said. “Contrary to initial social media reports, there was no nuclear material on board the aircraft.”
Though military officials have yet to comment on any casualties, at least four of the individuals onboard are believed to be dead, a federal source told the Los Angeles Times.
The aircraft was originally based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton in San Diego.
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“We ask for the public’s patience as we work diligently with first responders and the unit to identify what occurred this afternoon,” the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said.
The site of the crash is reported to be near state Route 78 and Coachella Canal Road, according to KYMA. Photos at the scene show smoke billowing in the distance behind a sign for a military training site.
A spokesperson for Imperial County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to the Washington Examiner that authorities have received a report of a crash and were responding to the scene but did not provide further information.
An investigation is underway into the cause of the crash. The Osprey is designed for the “transportation of troops, equipment, and supplies from ships and land bases for combat assault and assault support,” according to NAVAIR.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The site of the crash is approximately 60 miles away from the border of Arizona, in Yuma.
Last Friday, a fighter pilot was killed when his F/A-18E Super Hornet jet crashed near Trona. The cause of the crash was not immediately known.
Mike Brest contributed to this report.
