Plans are in the works to salvage the Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye that crashed Wednesday in the water near Chincoteague.
The crash occurred at about 7:30 p.m., leaving one crew member dead and two others injured, according to Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs.
A statement from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company showed the aircraft was found just north of Chincoteague Island partially submerged. The two injured crew members were located on a wing and taken for medical treatment.
As of Thursday evening, they were still being treated at a local hospital for injuries that were not life threatening, the Navy said.
The third crew member was found dead inside the aircraft. Dive teams from Ocean City and Salisbury were on scene to aid in the search and recovery effort.
The name of the crew member who died is being withheld until next of kin has been notified.
Background:
Coast Guard: Military plane crashes near Chincoteague
Navy confirms 1 dead, 2 injured in plane crash near Chincoteague
“This is a tremendous loss for both our squadron and for the family and friends of our fallen service member. We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and are committed to determining the cause of this incident,” Cmdr. Martin Fentress Jr. said in a statement.
Fentress is commanding officer of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 120, to which the downed Hawkeye was assigned.
VAW-120’s mission “is to fly and train Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers, and Naval Aircrewmen to safely and effectively operate E-2 and C-2 aircraft,” according to the Naval Air Force Atlantic website.
The crash is still under investigation, and the Navy said it is coordinating with state and local officials.
