Authorities are looking into a fire that broke out on a CH-53E Super Stallion on Friday.
The helicopter, part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, was engaged in routine operations at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California, when the incident occurred, forcing the crew to evacuate.
Assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, the aircraft experienced a “ground mishap” at 1:10 p.m. PDT. No injuries were reported, and emergency crews quickly extinguished the flames, a wing spokesperson told Marine Corps Times.
Video shared on social media shows the aircraft engulfed in smoke and flames.
🚨 A Marine CH-53 caught fire at 29 Palms.
A stark reminder of just how dangerous our line of work truly is.
Please keep all those involved in your prayers. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/TLQaWetBeC
— 𝕃𝕚𝕖𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕒𝕟𝕥 ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕝 ℙ 🪖 (@TheLtColUSMC) August 24, 2025
The Marine Corps said the incident is under investigation and declined to provide further details.
The CH-53E, introduced in 1981, is the Marine Corps’ primary heavy-lift helicopter. Marine Aircraft Group 16 also operates MV-22 Ospreys.
In February 2024, a CH-53E from the same group crashed during a return flight to Miramar, killing five Marines.
Twentynine Palms, the largest Marine Corps training installation in the U.S., hosts regular combined-arms and aviation training exercises.
