The command investigation into the cause of the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361) CH-53E Super Stallion mishap near Pine Valley, California on Feb. 6, 2024, callsign “TIGER 43,” is complete. The Marine Corps has briefed the results of the investigation to the families of our fallen Marines and is providing all available resources to them during this difficult time.  

We continue to honor the loss of our brothers: Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, Sgt. Alec Langen, Capt. Benjamin Moulton, Capt. Jack Casey, and Capt. Miguel Nava.  

On Feb. 6, 2024, during a flight from Imperial County Airfield to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, TIGER 43 crashed into a mountain ridge near Pine Valley, California. 

The thorough investigation determined the root cause of the mishap to be pilot error, including failure to maintain safe obstacle clearance and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) visibility requirements, which was likely influenced by aircrew spatial misorientation due to environmental conditions. This tragically resulted in a fatal, Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) event. The mishap was not a result of a material or mechanical failure of any component on the aircraft.

A few limitations presented during the investigative process, including the inaccessibility of certain on-board flight data and exact real-time weather. The investigative team thoroughly evaluated possible scenarios and simulations to draw conclusions from the available data and analysis.   

Following additional reviews of the investigation, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Commanding General relieved the HMH-361 Commanding Officer of command on Nov. 18, 2024, due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to continue to serve in that position. While the Commanding Officer’s actions were not directly causal or contributing factors to the mishap itself, the Commanding General determined that he exhibited poor judgment, and was expected to exercise greater care in the performance of his duties. 

Multiple recommendations were implemented to policy and training across 3rd MAW in response to the investigation. 

The Marine Corps extends gratitude and admiration for the exemplary conduct and attention-to-detail of the first responders who assisted with the mishap response and for the investigative and engineering teams who assisted in the investigation.

The Marine Corps is committed to the training and safety of our aircrews. Safety is a way of life in Marine aviation, and we strive to continually assess and improve our procedures and culture. 

We will never forget the Marines of TIGER 43.  

The redacted command investigation is available to the public via the Marine Corps Freedom of Information Act website: https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Agencies/USMC-FOIA/FRR/.   

For questions regarding this release, please contact the 3rd MAW Communication Strategy and Operations Office at 3rdmawmedia@usmc.mil.

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