The five missing crew members of an MH-60S helicopter, which crashed off the coast of California on Tuesday, have been declared dead, the U.S. Navy said Saturday.
The Navy said in a press release that the 3rd Fleet has shifted from search and rescue efforts to recovery operations.
Assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8, the helicopter was conducting routine flight operations from aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln when it crashed into the sea approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of San Diego on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Navy.
One crew member was rescued following the crash. Five sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln were also injured during the incident.
Officials said that an investigation into the incident is underway.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency