Four Marines injured during 'aviation mishap' in rural North Carolina, USMC says

Mark Price, The Charlotte Observer on Oct 9, 2026

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A military transport aircraft carrying U.S. Marines made a “hard landing” and caught fire in rural Bladen County, according to media reports from eastern North Carolina.

It happened around 10:20 a.m. Thursday and led to four Marines receiving medical care, 1st Lt., Cailin Altonen of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Cherry Point said in a statement to The Charlotte Observer. Details of their condition have not been released.

“An aviation mishap occurred involving an MV-22B Osprey belonging to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162. ... Civilian and military emergency services responded to the site,” Altonen said in the statement.

“The MV-22B Osprey was based out of Marine Corps Air Station New River. This incident is currently under investigation.”

The aircraft was carrying about 6,000 pounds of fuel, and “suffered extensive damage from the hard landing and the subsequent blaze,” Aviation Safety Network said.

It happened in Bladen Lakes State Forest near Sweet Home Church Road, and one of the four injured Marines suffered burns, White Lake Fire Chief Dale Brennan told WWAY.

The flames did not ignite any wildfires in surrounding woodlands, state forest officials told The Charlotte Observer.

Cape Lejeune, located near Jacksonville, reported Oct. 5 that exercises were scheduled Oct. 7-8 to “test security, emergency response and readiness procedures.” However, it’s not clear if the mishap was related to those exercises.

The MV-22 Osprey is used to transport troops, equipment, and supplies from ships and land bases for combat, according to the U.S. Navy. The aircraft is 57 feet long, 22 feet high and has a wingspan of 83 feet.

Bladen Lakes State Forest is about a 90-mile drive south from downtown Raleigh.

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