Son of former LA Dodger Steve Sax killed in California Osprey crash

Earlier this week, in the desert of California, a training flight crash claimed the lives of five U.S. Marines, one of whom was the 33-year-old son of Steve Sax, a former player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who had always aspired to become a pilot, as stated by Steve Sax in a released statement.

Captain John J. Sax was among the aircrew of an Osprey tiltrotor aircraft that went down during training in a remote area of Imperial County, approximately 50 miles east of Yuma, Arizona and about 115 miles from San Diego.

Captain John J. Sax (Marine Corps).

Steve Sax expressed in a declaration released on Saturday by CBSLA-TV that my beloved son, Johnny, was among the five US Marines who tragically lost their lives on Wednesday, June 8, in the Osprey Military accident close to San Diego. I am utterly devastated.

There was no person better to defend our country, and he was the best man I know – my hero! He defended our country and experienced the joy of flying airplanes, and his family loved him for his dedication. You knew that he was the one with a bright light and a huge smile.

The former Dodger said that his son, who was young, wanted to be a pilot since he used to talk about different types of planes that would fly overhead while playing in the Little Baseball League.

The statement was, “There was never any doubt that Johnny would be a pilot and his passion was to fly, from a young age!” This loss is not only a loss to the Marines, but it will forever change my life and the world.

Social networking platforms expressed sympathies for Major League Baseball, the team, and supporters. Steve Sax, a member of the Dodgers, served as a second baseman for a span of seven years within the Major Leagues from 1981 to 1994, securing two world titles.

The Dodgers expressed their condolences in a tweet on Saturday, stating, “We extend our sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends affected by this devastating event. The Los Angeles Dodgers are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of John, the son of Steve Sax, and the unfortunate loss of the five Marines involved in the tragic helicopter accident that occurred this week.”

Dodgers spokesperson Steve Brener stated that John J. Sax is survived by his spouse, Amber, who is expecting their second offspring, and their 20-month-old daughter.

Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, a 31-year-old resident of Rockingham, New Hampshire, alongside Sax, from Placer, California, was among the two pilots who tragically lost their lives in the accident.

Three crew members of the tiltrotor, named Carlson E. Nathan Cpl., Johnson, Rasmuson D. Seth Cpl., And Strickland A. Evan Cpl., Were killed in Winnebago, Illinois. Additionally, Lance and Valencia of New Mexico, aged 21 and 19 respectively, were also involved in the incident.

The Marines were based at Camp Pendleton in California, as part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is headquartered at Miramar Station Air Corps Marine in San Diego.

The Osprey, a hybrid aircraft combining features of an airplane and a helicopter, was utilized in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, it has faced criticism regarding its safety. Similar to an airplane, the Osprey is specifically engineered to perform vertical takeoffs like a helicopter, subsequently transitioning its propellers to a horizontal position for cruising.

The reason for the accident was being investigated.