A US Navy MH-60S helicopter crashed into the ocean alongside USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) off San Diego during a routine training flight. The MH-60S was assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln and was “operating on deck before crashing into the sea,” according to US Third Fleet.
One helicopter crew member was rescued, five others are missing. Five more sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln were injured in the incident. Two were transported ashore for treatment and are in stable condition. The other three were treated for “minimal injuries” and remain aboard.
At 12:35 a.m. Eastern time on Sept. 1, 2021, Commander Third Fleet Public Affairs released this update:
Currently, one crew member has been rescued and search efforts continue for the other crewmembers of an MH-60S helicopter embarked aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) that crashed into the sea while conducting routine flight operations approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of San Diego at 4:30 p.m. PST, Aug. 31.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing with multiple Coast Guard and Navy air and surface assets.
Abraham Lincoln is homeported in San Diego.
At 1:58 a.m. Eastern time on Sept. 1, 2021, Commander Third Fleet Public Affairs released this update:
Currently, one crew member has been rescued and search efforts continue for five additional crewmembers of an MH-60S helicopter embarked aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) that crashed into the sea while conducting routine flight operations approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of San Diego at 4:30 p.m. PST, Aug. 31.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing with multiple Coast Guard and Navy air and surface assets.
Abraham Lincoln is homeported in San Diego.
This story has been updated with a number of crew members aboard the aircraft.
At 12:44 p.m. Eastern time on Sept. 1, 2021, Commander Third Fleet Public Affairs released this update:
The Sailor who was rescued from the aircraft was transported ashore and is in stable condition.
Search efforts continue for five additional aircrew members.
The aircraft, from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, was operating on deck before crashing into the sea.
Five additional Sailors aboard Abraham Lincoln suffered injuries in the incident and are in stable condition. Two of the five Abraham Lincoln Sailors were transported ashore for treatment, while three of the five Abraham Lincoln Sailors had minimal injuries and remain aboard the ship.
An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway.
