Crash Near Mexican Border: US Marine Plane Picks Up Five Personnel, Denies Carrying Radioactive Material

An illustration of the United States Marines' MV-22B Osprey. (Wikimedia Commons/US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelvin Edwards)

JAKARTA - A transport plane belonging to the United States Marines crashed in Southern California, while carrying five personnel, according to a spokesman.

There was no immediate word on casualties, but the military denied reports the plane was carrying radioactive material when it crashed near Glamis, just 35 kilometers from the Mexican border.

"We can confirm that an aircraft belonging to the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing crashed near Glamis," a spokesman told AFP.

"Five marines are on board, and we are awaiting confirmation of the status of all crew members."

"Military and civilian first responders are on site. Contrary to social media rumours, there was no nuclear material on board," the spokesman said.

The plane was identified as the MV-22B Osprey, based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, United States.

The Osprey is a type of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, with a swivel wing that can be directed upwards to provide helicopter-like maneuverability, or forward to provide aircraft range.

The United States military has so far had a number of accidents with this type of aircraft, including a crash in Norway in March that killed four marines.