Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Editor: James T. Crouse
Profession: Aviation Accident Attorney

The flat farmlands south of Corpus Christi, Texas is the sight of the deadly crash of a Navy helicopter on a training mission which killed three and injured one. The injured crew member is in critical condition in a hospital after the fiery crash. According to the Navy, it was foggy at the time of the crash near a 971 foot broadcast tower but authorities would not confirm speculation the MH-53 Sea Dragon hit the tower. According to a TV station executive, the tower beacon had been knocked off and parts of the antenna were on the ground - and a large piece of the chopper wreckage was found at the base of the tower.

The chopper was part of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 out of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. According to their Mission Statement, they "conduct mine hunting and mine sweeping operations using the MH-53E helicopter. From the air, crews place mine countermeasures equipment in the water to detect or destroy mines".