Two Marines, Capt. Elizabeth Kealey, 32, and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield, 35, killed in helicopter crash during training near Twentynine Palms, California

Modified Date:

Mon, 10/26/2015 - 8:28pm

Accident Date:

Friday, January 23, 2015

Report: Faulty Cap Contributed To Marine Helicopter Crash Near Twentynine PalmsBase

The Marine Corps Times in a story Sunday detailed the report of the probe into the Jan. 23 accident near the Twentynine Palms base that killed the pilot, Maj. The UH-1Y Venom helicopter plummeted within about 400 hundreds of yards of the intended landing site, according to the report. Investigators cited numerous missteps, including an improperly installed filter cover three days before the crash that allowed the transmission to dump its oil during the flight. At the time, Kealey was a captain and Satterfield a first lieutenant assigned to Marine Light Attack Squadron 169. SAN DIEGO (AP) – An improperly installed filter cap contributed to a Marine Corps helicopter crash at a California base that killed the Marine pilot and her co-pilot after the transmission seized, but authorities stopped short of say there was any wrongdoing, according to a report by military investigators.

2 Marines die when military helicopter crashes in California

Wing commander Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco says in a statement released by Marine Corps Air Station Miramar: “Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the two Marines we lost in this tragic accident.”

2 Marines die after their helicopter crashes in Southern California

According to its website, the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center's mission "is to conduct relevant live-fire combined arms training, urban operations, and Joint/Coalition level integration training" for Marines and Navy sailors.

2 Marines Identified in Deadly California Helicopter Crash

Kealey, 32, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, was commissioned in 2005 and had earned several awards and medals. She was deployed once in Afghanistan. Satterfield, 25, of Oldham, Kentucky, was commissioned in 2011 and supported training operations in Southern California.

Two Marines died when their helicopter crashed during training in Southern California. The Third Marine Aircraft Wing chopper had just the two onboard when it crashed late Friday afternoon at the base in Twentynine Palms. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Check back for more information as it becomes available.

Type: Aircraft Accident

Topics:

Military Vehicles, Helicopter Accident

People Involved:

Elizabeth Kealey

Adam Satterfield

City:

Twentynine Palms, CA

County:

San Bernardino County, CA

Area:

San Bernardino, CA