The accident to the U.S. Marine Corpse Osprey happened during a flight in connection with the ongoing NATO exercise Cold Response 2022. It is now confirmed that all four crewmembers were fatally injured.
The aircraft did not return to Bodo Air Force Base as planned around 1800 local time from a training flight. A search was initiated in somewhat unfavourable weather conditions. The local Sea King SAR helicopter eventually picked up signals from an ELT and at 2117 located the accident site about 30 nm due south of Bodo. The site was observed from the air, the aircraft appeard severly damaged and no sign of life was seen. Due to the conditions the Sea King was unable to land. A ground search party on snowmobiles that was sent to the site, arrived around 0130 in the morning and could do nothing but confirm the the fatal outcome.
The accident will be investigated by the
Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority.