Four Marines Injured After MV-22B Osprey Hard Landing and Fire in North Carolina

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 suffered an aviation mishap on October 8, 2026, resulting in a hard landing and fire in Bladen Lakes State Forest, North Carolina. All four Marines aboard received medical care, with at least one medevaced to the UNC Jaycee Burn Center for burn injuries. Military officials and local civilian emergency services responded to the scene to extinguish the fire, which involved approximately 6,000 pounds of jet fuel. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

// Background

The MV-22B Osprey was operating out of Marine Corps Air Station New River. The incident location, Pappy Tatum Landing Area in Bladen Lakes State Forest (approximately 50 miles west of Camp Lejeune), is frequently used for military aviation training operations. Camp Lejeune had previously issued notices regarding scheduled training activities in the region for the week.

// Key Developments

• An MV-22B Osprey carrying four personnel crashed and caught fire during a hard landing near Elizabethtown, NC.
• All four Marines aboard required medical attention; one Marine was medevaced to UNC Jaycee Burn Center with burns.
• The aircraft belonged to VMM-162, MAG-26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing based out of MCAS New River.
• The mishap occurred at the Pappy Tatum Landing Area in Bladen Lakes State Forest while carrying ~6,000 lbs of jet fuel.
• Six local fire departments, military emergency services, and the NC State Highway Patrol responded to the scene.