An MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor assigned to Camp Pendleton, California, crashed on June 8, during an afternoon flight above the Southern California desert, military officials have stated. It is believed the Osprey was participating in an Amphibious Raid course, which are regularly held at the camp. 

“We can confirm that an Osprey belonging to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed near Glamis, California. Military and civilian responders are on site,” officials with the San Diego-based wing said in a statement later. 

“Five personnel were aboard the aircraft, and we are awaiting confirmation of their status of all members of the crew,” 3rd MAW said in an updated statement. “We ask for the public’s patience as we work diligently with first responders and the unit to identify what occurred this afternoon.”

The MV-22B Osprey was assigned to Marine Air Group 39 at MCAS Camp Pendelton, officials confirmed to the media. 

Local media speculation at the time suggested that there had been “nuclear material” aboard, but the Department of Defense quickly discounted these reports. 

“Contrary to initial reports, there was no nuclear material on board the aircraft,” wing officials released in a statement. 

This is the second loss of an MV-22B Osprey this year. On March 18, an Osprey assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force, assigned to “Raging Bulls” of Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 based at MCAS New River, North Carolina, was lost while participating in a long-planned NATO exercise called Cold Weather exercise in Norway. The crew of four, were later named as Captains Ross A. Reynolds, Matthew J. Tomkiewicz, Gunnery Sergeant James W. Speedy and Corporal Jacob M. Moore, were tragically killed in the crash.