Aircraft Was On A Training Mission When The Accident Occurred

The U.S. Navy is reporting that an MH-60S helicopter went down Tuesday morning in the James River while on a routine training mission. The three crew members aboard were rescued and transported to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.

Their injuries are believed to be non-life threatening.

The helicopter is assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 2, the helicopter Fleet Replacement Squadron based at Norfolk Naval Station Chambers Field.

The U.S. Coast Guard said that the accident occurred at about 1114 local time. The aircraft went down in the water near the James River Bridge in Newport News, VA in the middle of the river. Television station WHSV reports that a civilian fishing boat heard the Mayday call from the aircraft and assisted in the rescue of the crew. All made it into the boat under their own power, according to the report.

A mishap investigation board will be convened to determine the cause.

(Source: U.S. Navy news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.navy.mil