Marines Corps ID's Helicopter Pilot Killed In Desert 'Aviation Mishap'

IMPERIAL COUNTY, CA — A pilot who was killed last week in an AH-1Z Viper military helicopter mishap over the Southern California desert was identified Monday afternoon as a native of the Golden State.

Maj. Tyler R. Braconi, 35, was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and was based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.

"We join the family of Maj. Tyler Braconi in mourning the unimaginable loss of a loved one," said Lt. Col. Christopher Hart, the commanding officer of HMLA-369. "Our most valued asset is our people, the individual Marine, and Tyler was one of the greats. We mourn the loss of a ‘Gunfighter,’ brave aviator, and leader that served our nation with humility, strength, and purpose. Our focus is supporting Tyler's family and loved ones during this difficult time."

The “Gunfighters” are based at MCAS Camp Pendleton.

According to the Marine Corps, the AH-1Z Viper helicopter that Braconi was piloting experienced an "aviation mishap" just after 7 p.m. Thursday during routine operations near Imperial Gables. The remote, unpopulated desert area is about an hour east of the southern end of the Salton Sea, in Imperial County.

"At the time of the mishap, the AH-1Z crew were conducting routine flight operations in support of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course," according to the Marine Corps.

Braconi was pulled from the incident scene and transported to Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley, but did not survive. A second pilot was transported in stable condition to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

The flight launched from MCAS Camp Pendleton, and the cause of the incident is under investigation.

Braconi commissioned in the Marine Corps on May 5, 2012, and was promoted to the rank of major on June 1, 2022. His decorations include the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four bronze stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. His previous assignments include a tour with HMLA-267 and service as an exchange pilot to the Australian Army.

He graduated from Tesoro High School in Rancho Santa Margarita and went on to graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps with an aviation contract. He attended basic training in Quantico, Va., and continued on to flight school, according to a 2013 brief about him in the OC Register.

Braconi's social media feed shows he was an ultramarathoner who traveled the globe, often surrounded by friends.

Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons, the commanding general of 3rd MAW, issued the following statement Friday: “It is with profound sadness that I share the loss of a Marine from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the “Gunfighters” while conducting a training flight in support of the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course. This Marine made the ultimate sacrifice, and we are forever grateful for his selfless commitment and willingness to go into harm’s way. To the family, friends, and loved ones of our fallen Marine, we send our deepest condolences and offer our unwavering support during this time of grief.”

This is the second fatal incident involving a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing helicopter since the beginning of 2024. Three pilots and two crew chiefs aboard a CH-53E Super Stallion were killed Feb. 6, 2024, after the aircraft crashed during a late-night flight near Pine Valley, east of the city of San Diego.

That helicopter was with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Miramar. The Super Stallion was returning from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., when the helicopter crashed.

An investigation found the pilot in that incident failed to avoid the mountainous terrain, likely due to poor visibility.