Fatal Black Hawk Crash Caused by Pilot Error

The Louisiana National Guard reported Thursday the deadly helicopter crash that killed 11, including a Basking Ridge Marine, was due to pilot error, according to published reports.

An investigation from the Louisiana National Guard (LANG) and United States Special Operations Command indicated the direct cause of the crash was “spatial orientation of both pilots”, causing them to lose control of the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, according to a report from WAFB-New Orleans.

Among the victims was Capt. Stanford H. Shaw, III, 31, from Basking Ridge.

Shaw and 10 other United States military personnel died after the helicopter crashed near Eglin, Florida, at approximately 8:30 p.m. on March 10, according to the United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC). Shaw served as a team commander within the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operational Command.

The Times-Picayune reports the aircrew encountered thick fog, during which the pilots suffered from “spatial disorientation,” in which pilots lose their bearings, including surface’s location. The pilots relied on visual flight controls and failed to utilize instruments that could have helped maintain the aircraft’s altitude.

Shaw, a 2002 graduate of Ridge High School, was the recipient of numerous awards during his military tenure, including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment ribbon (with two stars), according to MARSOC.

The 10 other victims in the crash included Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 George Wayne Griffin, Jr., 37, from Delhi, Los Angeles; Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 George David Strother, 44, from Alexandria, Los Angeles; Master Sgt. Thomas A. Saunders, 33, from Williamsburg, Virginia; Staff Sgt. Marcus S. Bawol, 26, from Warren, Michigan; Army Staff Sgt. Lance J. Bergeron, 40, from Thibodaux, Los Angeles; Staff Sgt. Trevor P. Blaylock, 29, from Lake Orion, Michigan; Army Staff Sgt. Thomas Florich, 26, from Fairfax County, Virginia; Staff Sgt. Liam A. Flynn, 33, from Queens, New York; Staff Sgt. Kerry M. Kemp, 27, from Port Washington, Wisconsin; and Staff Sgt. Andrew C. Seif, 26, from Holland, Michigan.