An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Navy Completes Investigation into Fatal Helicopter Crash

03 May 2022
SAN DIEGO – On April 18, 2022, the Navy concluded its command investigation into the crash of the MH-60S Seahawk that occurred in the eastern Pacific Ocean on August 31, 2021. The helicopter fell into the sea shortly after landing aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), resulting in the deaths of five members of the aircrew. The investigation found that there is no evidence that pilot or aircrew error was a causal factor in the crash.

The investigation determined that the crash was caused by an in-flight failure of a damper hose, resulting in total loss of the main rotor damping which led to severe vibrations upon touchdown.

The Navy continues to mourn the loss of Lt. Bradley Foster, Lt. Paul Fridley, Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 1st Class James Buriak, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Sarah Burns, and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Bailey Tucker, and our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones.

A redacted version of the findings from this command investigation is available on the U.S. Pacific Fleet on-line FOIA Reading Room: https://www.cpf.navy.mil/FOIA-Reading-Room/#release-181321

 

 

Google Translation Disclaimer

Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon