The engine of a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter caught fire mid-flight Friday afternoon, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing at Camp Pendleton, authorities said.
All four crew members were able to exit the helicopter safely and no one was injured, according to a Marine Corps spokesperson.
The fire started at 3:11 p.m. on a CH-53E Super Stallion belonging to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the spokesperson said. The crew made an emergency landing at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, near Interstate 5 in San Diego County, where first responders worked to extinguish the fire.
In a Friday afternoon post, the California Highway Patrol warned people to expect delays on Interstate 5 north of the Aliso Creek rest area. Images and video included in that post showed the helicopter burning in a field, emitting plumes of dark black smoke.
