WASHINGTON: A military helicopter took off from the USS Abraham Lincoln and later crashed into the sea leading to search-and-rescue operations off the coast of San Diego, the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet said yesterday.
“An MH-60S helicopter embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) 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,” the Pacific Fleet said in a message on Twitter.
“Search and rescue operations are ongoing with multiple Coast Guard and Navy air and surface assets”, the message said.
The US Navy Third Fleet said one crew member had been rescued.
NBC 7 San Diego reported that five people were still unaccounted for.