A large Marine helicopter made an emergency landing on a Southern California beach Wednesday after an apparent oil leak, authorities said.
There were no injuries when the heavy-lift CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter made the landing on Solana Beach near San Diego at around 11:40 a.m., the military said.
The helicopter, part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, landed on the beach after a low oil-pressure indicator activated in the cockpit, the Marine Corps said in a statement.
Hazardous material teams were sent to the beach to make sure no oil contaminated the sands of Solana Beach, located in a seaside community of about 13,000 people about 20 miles northwest of downtown San Diego.
"The aircraft was conducting a routine flight, and the pilots landed the aircraft safely," a statement from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar said.
The entire rear section of the aircraft was streaked with what appeared to be oil. The Marines did not say where the helicopter was headed. It was expected to return to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego Wednesday.
The Super Stallion is the heaviest and most powerful helicopter used by the military, according to its manufacturer, Sikorsky. It is used to transport heavy equipment.
