2012 Muscat Sikorsky MH-53E crash

2012 Muscat Sikorsky MH-53E crash

Aircraft involved in this accident
Accident
Date	July 19, 2012 (2012-07-19)
Summary	Mishap during a heavy-lift operation.
Site	58 miles southwest of Muscat, Oman
Aircraft
Aircraft type	Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon
Operator	United States Navy HM-15
Registration	162514
Occupants	5
Crew	5
Fatalities	2
Injuries	3
Survivors	3

On 19 July 2012, a United States Navy (HM-15) Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon crashed into a beach registered as 162514 crashed approximately 58 miles southwest of Muscat, Oman, during a heavy-lift operation in support of the Omani Government. The crash resulted in the deaths of two crew members (Senior Chief Sean P. Sullivan and Naval Aircrewman Joseph P. Fitzmorris) of the five crew members on board. ^{[1] [2]}

The helicopter was engaged in lifting a Royal Air Force of Oman NHIndustries NH90 helicopter when the incident occurred. Another Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon from the same squadron responded to the scene to assist with search and rescue operations. The United States Navy ruled out hostile activity as a cause of the crash. ^{[3] [4]}

See Also

• 2005 Al-Anbar CH-53E crash

References

1. Ranter, Harro. "Accident Sikorsky MH-53E 162514, Thursday 19 July 2012". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
2. "U.S. military helicopter crashes in Oman". CNN. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
3. "US Navy helicopter crashes in Oman". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
4. Ranter, Harro. "Accident Sikorsky MH-53E 162514, Thursday 19 July 2012". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 17 August 2025.

External Links

• Final Report of the accident (96 pages)
• Aftermath of the crash