Marine MV-22B Osprey Suffers Landing Mishap on USS New Orleans; No Injuries Reported

December 10, 2015 6:50 AM - Updated: December 10, 2015 10:21 AM
An MV-22 Osprey from Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron (VMM-166) amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) off the coast of Southern California on Nov. 3, 2015. US Navy Photo
An MV-22 Osprey from Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron (VMM-166) amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) off the coast of Southern California on Nov. 3, 2015. US Navy Photo

No one was injured when an MV-22B tiltrotor aircraft with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit experienced a “landing mishap” on the deck of transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD-18) on Wednesday afternoon, a spokesman said Wednesday night.

The Osprey was carrying 22 passengers along with a four-person crew when the mishap happened about 5 p.m. local time, Capt. Brian “Scott” Villiard, the 13th MEU spokesman told USNI News.

“Everyone is safe without injury, to include the ship’s crew members,” Villiard said by email from the USS Boxer (LHD-4), the flagship for the 13th MEU and the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. The Marines were returning to the ship after doing a training event ashore, he added.

USS New Orleans (LPD-18) transits the Pacific Ocean. US Navy Photo
USS New Orleans (LPD-18) transits the Pacific Ocean. US Navy Photo

The San Diego-based New Orleans was operating off the coast of Camp Pendleton at the time of the incident, which is currently under investigation, he said.

The 13th MEU and Boxer ARG are in the midst of conducting the Certification Exercise (CERTEX) ahead of the scheduled deployment in early 2016 to the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command regions. The 13th MEU’s air combat element includes Marine Tiltrotor Squadron (Reinforced) 166.

Gidget Fuentes

Gidget Fuentes

Gidget Fuentes is a freelance writer based in San Diego, Calif. She has spent more than 20 years reporting extensively on the Marine Corps and the Navy, including West Coast commands and Pacific regional issues.

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