California: Military Plane Crashes, Nuclear Rumors Debunked

At least five people were presumed dead on Wednesday after a military helicopter crashed in a California desert.

According to the Daily Mail, the aircraft known as MV-22B Osprey crashed in Imperial County near Highway 78 and the town of Glamis. The said area is 30 miles north of the Mexican border and 150 miles east of San Diego.

Authorities did not release specific details about the victims. However, reports confirmed that one of the victims of the tragedy was the pilot of the aircraft.

Mirror noted that the aircraft belonged to the 3rd Marine Aircraft wing. News Channel 3 reported that the said aircraft was based in Camp Pendleton.

The military plane went down at around 12:25 p.m. local time.

"We can confirm that an aircraft belonging to 3d Marine Aircraft Wing crashed near Glamis, CA," the Naval Air Facility in El Centro said in their Facebook post.

Nuclear Materials in the California Crash Not True - Authorities

Authorities also debunked the rumors of nuclear materials on board the military plane.

"Contrary to initial reports, there was no nuclear material on board the aircraft. More information will be made available as we receive it," the Naval Air Facility emphasized.

Rescue teams and the military are reportedly on the site of the military plane crash. Footage showed military personnel near the area of the tragedy, where a tent was set up. Firetrucks were also on the scene in response to the California crash.

The footage from the news outlet also recorded a faint smoke on the horizon, which reportedly came from the crashed airplane.

"We have no additional details at this time. As facts become verified and available, information will be released on the base's Facebook page," the Naval Air Facility in El Centro said in another Facebook post.

The department then urged the public to be patient, noting that the installation team is working through the California crash.

California Crash: Other Deaths That Occurred With the Same Aircraft

The aircraft that crashed in the desert of California is known to be the MV-22B osprey, which is a tiltrotor aircraft built by Boeing.

The said military aircraft can accommodate up to 24 Marine combat troops. It has been used by the military since 2007.

The model of the military aircraft that crashed in California was first tested in 1989, but there were reported crashes during the tests. These resulted in at least 30 deaths.

In 2000, an Osprey crashed during training near Jacksonville, North Carolina. Four marines were killed during that time. Another Osprey crashed the same year at the Marana Regional Airport near Tucson, where 19 Marines on board were killed.

The most recent death involving an Osprey occurred in March this year during a training exercise in Norway, killing at least four.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Military Airplane Crashes Near Glamis - From News 11 Yuma