A U.S. Navy plane crashed off the coast of Accomack County north of Chincoteague, Va., on Wednesday night around 7:30 p.m. EST. Two crew members were rescued alive with injuries and a third was found dead.
NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility first released a statement saying it had sent emergency crews to the scene of a U.S. Navy aircraft crash site.
“Our emergency responders are on-scene of a U.S. Navy plane crash in Accomack County. Did not occur on NASA property. Nothing further at this time,” the statement said.
According to local public safety radio, emergency responders said they had recovered two passengers at the scene in the water with injuries. Those two passengers were recovered via boat and transported to the hospital. At least one of the two passengers was reported to have broken legs.
A third individual on board was said to be still missing as of 10 p.m. The individual was last seen onboard the plane strapped in for flight, according to reports. Later, however, the individual was reported to be recovered and deceased.
The aircraft was originally reported to be a V-22 Osprey, but was later revealed to be an E-2 Hawkeye tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed to local 13 News Now that it had deployed a 47-foot lifeboat and helicopter to help with the search and recovery effort.
Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-Norfolk) said on Twitter she was monitoring the crash, which took place in her district.
“I’m keeping our naval aviators, their families, and our first responders in my thoughts and prayers tonight as rescue and recovery efforts continue,” she said.
The crash comes less than two weeks after a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey aircraft crashed in northern Norway, killing four U.S. Marines on board. The four Marines were assigned to 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and were participating in Exercise Cold Response 22 in Norway.
