A 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing unmanned aerial vehicle ditched earlier today in the Neuse River at approximately 9:48 a.m., north of MCAS Cherry Point. It was recovered at approximately 4 p.m., with the help and assistance from U.S. Navy and Cherry Point personnel. The search and recovery took about six hours — the aircraft has been returned to the unit.
Swift actions by Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 personnel, the Cherry Point Fire Department and U.S. Navy personnel assigned to the air station were instrumental in the successful recovery of the aircraft.
VMU-2 was conducting local familiarization flight training when the mishap occurred.
Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 was conducting local familiarization flight training when the mishap occurred.
The aircraft has been located and is currently being recovered by Cherry Point and U.S. Navy personnel.
There are no reports of injuries or property damage.
The Shadow is a small, non-jet aircraft, approximately 11 feet in length, with a 14-foot wingspan – it weighs less than 400 pounds. The Shadow does not carry weapons.
“Ditching” is defined as a planned event in which a flight crew knowingly makes a controlled emergency landing in water.
The cause of the mishap is under investigation.
Source: Marines