{"id":27638,"date":"2021-03-24T14:38:20","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T14:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/03\/24\/marine-assistant-commandant-puts-off-answering-lawmaker-questions-on-deadly-aav-accident\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T21:08:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T21:08:10","slug":"marine-assistant-commandant-puts-off-answering-lawmaker-questions-on-deadly-aav-accident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2021\/03\/24\/marine-assistant-commandant-puts-off-answering-lawmaker-questions-on-deadly-aav-accident\/","title":{"rendered":"Marine assistant commandant puts off answering lawmaker questions on deadly AAV accident"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Congress will be briefed at the end of March on the Marine Corps\u2019 investigation into the July 30, 2020, amphibious assault vehicle accident that left eight Marines<\/a> and one sailor dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vehicle had gone down while conducting a training raid off the coast of California with 15 Marines and one sailor on board. But only seven of the service members were able to escape. The incident was the deadliest AAV<\/a> training accident in the history of the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI understand that part of the problem was the escape hatch and their inability to open the escape hatch,\u201d Rep. Jackie Speier, D-California, asked the Marine general at a House Armed Services Committee subcommittee on readiness hearing on Tuesday. \u201cHas that issue been resolved?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Marine Corps launched an investigation into the incident, which recently was completed, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Gary Thomas responded. But he\u2019s not speaking until the all the family members of deceased service members have been informed of the investigation\u2019s findings. <\/p>\n\n\n\t