Marine Corps CH-53 damaged during ground taxi Class A mishap

via Marine Corps Times.

One of the Corps’ CH-53E heavy lift helicopters was damaged Sunday during a ground taxi when its landing gear inadvertently retracted.

Few details were available following the accident that occurred at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, but nobody was injured during the event, according to 1st Lt. Sam Stephenson, a spokesman with 2nd Marine Air Wing.

The incident occurred while the helicopter was taxiing back to the squadron following a routine training flight, Stephenson said.

The Corps would not provide a damage or cost assessment, but the accident was listed as a Class A mishap on a military safety report.

Story here.

Another black eye for Marine Corps Aviation.  A ground taxi incident that's labeled a Class A mishap?  Can't wait to read the tick-tock on this one.