A U.S. Marine Corps aircraft caught fire Thursday after making a hard landing during a training operation in North Carolina, sending all four people aboard for medical checks.
The MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Corps Air Station New River, came down near Bladen Lakes State Forest.
U.S. MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft are parked at a Marine Corps Air Station. An MV-22B Osprey from Marine Corps Air Station New River caught fire Thursday during a North Carolina training exercise. (Hiro Komae/AP Photo)
The Marine Corps said the four service members were transported for medical evaluation. White Lake Fire Chief Dale Brennan told WECT that at least one Marine sustained burns and was taken to a nearby medical clinic.
Military responders and local civilian emergency crews both arrived at the scene.
Marines attach a camera to an observation UAV at Camp Pendleton. (Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images, File)
The aircraft incident occurred as Marine Corps Air Station New River conducted planned training activities this week. Before the drills began, officials at nearby Camp Lejeune warned residents to anticipate heavier traffic, heightened security, and a greater presence of emergency personnel.
A sign at the entrance to U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, in eastern North Carolina, U.S., sits in this undated handout photo. (U.S. Marine Corps/Handout via Reuters)
Officials have not yet determined what caused the hard landing and ensuing fire. The investigation is ongoing.
