{"id":22634,"date":"2017-09-26T16:24:42","date_gmt":"2017-09-26T16:24:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/09\/26\/investigation-poor-planning-led-to-marine-helicopter-mishap-in-october\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:39:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:39:33","slug":"investigation-poor-planning-led-to-marine-helicopter-mishap-in-october","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2017\/09\/26\/investigation-poor-planning-led-to-marine-helicopter-mishap-in-october\/","title":{"rendered":"Investigation: Poor planning led to Marine helicopter mishap in October"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A series of planning mistakes resulted in a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter\u2019s main rotor hitting a building during a simulated raid in October, an investigation into the incident found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPrevious experience with this LZ resulted in complacency and a lack of due diligence with respect to creating the landing plan,\u201d according to a redacted copy of the investigation obtained by Marine Corps Times through a Freedom of Information Act request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Raider aboard the helicopter suffered a concussion and lower back injury after he and three other Raiders removed their safety harnesses before landing, the investigation found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exercise took place on Oct. 20 near Yuma, Arizona, during the Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course, the investigation says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A total of 21 people were on board the helicopter at the time of the mishap: Two pilots, three enlisted aircrew, four Marines from the 1st Raider Battalion, six Marines from the 8th Engineering Support Battalion and six Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 372.<\/p>\n\n\n\t