US Navy plane crashes into sea – rescue operation for 11 on board

A US Navy plane has crashed into the sea with 11 people on board.

A US Navy statement said the cause of the crash was unknown. A recovery operation is underway.

Eleven people, described as “crew and passengers”, were on board when the plane crashed into the sea.

Japan said eight of those on board had been found. They offered no further detail on their condition.

The US Navy statement said: “A United States Navy aircraft carrying 11 crew and passengers crashed into the ocean southeast of Okinawa at approximately 2:45 p.m. today.

“The names of the crew and passengers are being withheld pending next of kin notification.

“Personnel recovery is underway and their condition will be evaluated by USS Ronald Reagan medical staff.

“The aircraft was en-route to the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which is currently operating in the Philippine Sea.

“USS Ronald Reagan is conducting search and rescue operations. The cause of the crash is not known at this time.”

It is the latest in a string of tragic incidents involving the US Navy this year.




In June the USS Fitzgerland collided with a cargo ship near Japan. Seven people died.

And in August 10 people died when the USS John McCain collided with an oil tanker near Singapore.

Japan’s Minister of Defence Itsunori Onodera said the US Navy had informed him the crash may have been a result of engine trouble.

The propeller powered transport plane, a C-2 Greyhound, carries personnel, mail and other cargo from mainland bases to carriers operating at sea.

The aircraft has been in operation for more than five decades and is due to be replaced by the long-range tilt-rotor Osprey aircraft.

Source:www.express.co.uk