Military officials have identified the Camp Pendleton-based Marine pilot and California native killed in a helicopter crash last week.
Maj. Tyler R. Braconi, 35, died when an AH-1Z Viper carrying two crew members crashed Thursday evening during routine training for the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course near an unpopulated area of Imperial Gables.
The flight had departed from Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton and experienced an “aviation mishap” near the California-Arizona border, officials said.
Assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39 and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Braconi commissioned in 2012, was promoted to major in 2022 and previously served with HMLA-267 and as an exchange pilot with the Australian Army.
Braconi’s decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four bronze stars.
“We join the family of Maj. Tyler Braconi in mourning the unimaginable loss of a loved one. Our most valued asset is our people, the individual Marine, and Tyler was one of the greats,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Hart, commanding officer of HMLA-369. “We mourn the loss of a ‘Gunfighter,’ brave aviator, and leader that served our nation with humility, strength, and purpose. Our focus is supporting Tyler’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
The second pilot involved in the crash was injured and has not been publicly identified, officials said.
The incident remains under investigation and no further details have been released.
