Navy helicopter crash leaves 2 dead, 2 injured

Sunday, Sept. 27, 1998 | 12:04 p.m.

The names of the four crew members were withheld pending notification of family members.

The H-60 helicopter, assigned to a squadron based at the Patuxent River, Md., Naval Air Station, had been training at the Fallon Naval Air Station.

Fallon base spokeswoman Anne McMillin said the helicopter was reported missing around 1:15 p.m. Saturday while looking for an overdue civilian aircraft.

Three other military aircraft began a search and later located the downed helicopter on Mount Grant near Hawthorne, located 150 miles southeast of Reno.

Two crew members were killed at the scene and two survivors were taken to Churchill County Hospital in Fallon.

One survivor was treated and released, and the other was admitted in satisfactory condition. Hospital officials declined to discuss the extent of their injuries.

The search for the small aircraft was suspended Saturday evening and was expected to resume Sunday.

The crash is under investigation by the Navy.

archive