HONOLULU (AP) — Officials say a Marine Corps Osprey aircraft caught fire after crashing during a "hard landing" in Hawaii and one Marine died and 21 other service members were sent to hospitals.

Dark smoke from the fire billowed into the sky as rescuers made their way to the scene at Bellows Air Force Station on Oahu Sunday afternoon.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific spokesman Capt. Alex Lim says the injuries ranged from critical to minor.

The Osprey can take off and land like a helicopter but fly like an airplane.

Lim says the cause of the crash is under investigation, Lim said.

Officials say 22 people were aboard the aircraft, including 21 Marines and one Navy corpsman assigned to the unit.

(Story by: Audrey McAvoy, The Associated Press)

 

More From WIBX 950