2 dead in AH-1W helicopter crash at Pendleton - Military News | News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

2 dead in AH-1W helicopter crash at Pendleton

Two Marine pilots died Monday when their AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter crashed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., the Marine Corps said in a statement.

The attack helicopter went down during a training flight at about 1 p.m. in a training area at the base, said 1st Lt. Maureen Dooley, a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing spokeswoman.

AH-1W attack helicopters are crewed by a pilot and co-pilot. Camp Pendleton’s air station is home to five light-attack squadrons and a training squadron with Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd MAW.

The crash also sparked a brush fire that grew to 120 acres as of last night, Camp Pendleton base officials said. Ground crews along with four air tankers and four helicopters were fighting the blaze, which was moving northeast, officials said. As of about 7 p.m. Monday, about the blaze was about 80 percent contained.

Material from The Associated Press contributed to this report.