Five Missing As US Navy Helicopter Crashes Off California Coast

Search and rescue operations were underway for five crew members missing after a US Navy helicopter crashed into the sea off the coast of … Continue reading Five Missing As US Navy Helicopter Crashes Off California Coast

By Anthonia Orji

Updated September 1, 2021

The sun sets as the Caldor fire continues to burn in Kirkwood, California on August 31, 2021. – Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate August 30, 2021 as a huge wildfire loomed over a major US tourist spot, filling the air with choking smoke. The Caldor Fire has already torn through more than 270 square miles (700 square kilometers), razing hundreds of buildings. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

Search and rescue operations were underway for five crew members missing after a US Navy helicopter crashed into the sea off the coast of California, the US Pacific Fleet said on Tuesday.

One crew member had been rescued but five were missing, the navy fleet said in a statement.

The MH-60S helicopter took off from the USS Abraham Lincoln during “routine flight operations” about 60 nautical miles off the coast of San Diego at 4:30 pm (2330 GMT), the fleet said.

“Search and rescue operations are ongoing with multiple Coast Guard and Navy air and surface assets,” it added.

AFP