Osprey military aircraft catches fire in Bladen Lakes State Forest, Marine injured

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — An Osprey military aircraft hard-landed Thursday morning in Bladen Lakes State Forest, leaving one of four Marines on board with burns, according to the White Lake fire chief.

The hard landing happened near Sweet Home Church Road in Bladen County, in an area where Marine pilots conduct takeoff and landing training.

One Marine suffered burns and was transported by helicopter to the UNC Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill for treatment.

The other three Marines were not injured and remained at the scene, according to the fire chief, Dale Brennan.

The chief said the Osprey was carrying approximately 6,000 pounds of jet fuel when it crashed.

A fire was still burning at the crash site when Brennan spoke with WWAY.

Approximately six to seven fire departments responded to the scene. Crews were securing the area while awaiting personnel from Camp Lejeune to determine how to proceed with firefighting operations, including whether to use foam to extinguish the fire.

Brennan said the Marines use two aviation landing zones in Bladen Lakes State Forest for pilot training.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol was also at the scene near Sweet Home Church Road.

The cause of the incident and the extent of the injured Marine’s burns have not yet been confirmed.

WWAY will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.