US Army plane crashes during training in Australia, several injured

A US Army Osprey hybrid horizontal or vertical takeoff plane crashed Sunday with about 20 people on board during a military exercise in northern Australia, according to local media.

According to the Australian public broadcaster ABC, several people have been rescued after a shipwreck near the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin. It is reported that at least three people were injured and were hospitalized.

“Initial reports suggest US military personnel were involved in the incident, not members of the Australian Defense Force,” Australian authorities told ABC. “At this early and critical stage, we are focused on responding to incidents and ensuring the safety of those involved. »

“Plane Crash”

The Northern Territory Emergency Service reported a “plane crash” on Melville Island, about 60km north of mainland Australia, on Sunday morning.

The Osprey, which is an intermediate link between an airplane and a helicopter, took part in the Predators Run, a series of military maneuvers organized jointly by the US and Australian armies.

Ospreys have been involved in several fatal accidents. In 2017, during a US-Australian military exercise, a US Army MV-22 Osprey crashed at sea, killing three people.