1 Dead, 3 Injured in Military Helicopter Crash at Kaneohe

By Wendy Osher

Courtesy image Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

One Marine was killed and three others were injured after a military helicopter executed an emergency landing at Kaneohe Bay on Oahu last night.

Recovery efforts are underway this morning to remove the downed CH-53D Sea Stallion craft from the sand bar where it came to rest.

The identity of the deceased crew member will be released following the notification of next of kin.  The other three crew members were transported to Queens Medical Center where two were listed in critical and one in stable condition at last report.

According to military reports, the helicopter with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 executed an emergency landing at approximately 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, March 29.  The helicopter and a four-member crew landed in shallow water about two miles from the air station.

Rescue crews responding to the crash site included the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Waterfront Operations, aircraft from the U.S. Coast Guard and Army and the Honolulu Fire Department.  The Coast Guard has also implemented a temporary safety zone in the area to ensure the safe extraction of the craft.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.