MOBILE, Ala. — The Coast Guard completed recovery operations, Thursday, for the missing crewmember of MH-6535 that crashed in Mobile Bay Feb. 28, 2012.
The body of Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Knight, of Thomasville, Ala. was recovered by response personnel.
“This has been a long, tasking week for all involved as we pushed forward and put in countless hours to find our fallen Guardians and bring them back home,” said Capt. Kenneth Ivery, deputy commander of Coast Guard Sector Mobile. “The Coast Guard thanks all the responders including local, state and federal agencies, Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage, and volunteers. We are also very appreciative of the great city of Mobile and state of Alabama for the support demonstrated during this tragedy.”
The bodies of Lt. Cmdr. Dale Taylor, of Snow Hill, N.C., and Lt. j.g. Thomas Cameron, of Portland, Ore., were recovered by response personnel, March 1. Chief Petty Officer Fernando Jorge, of Cypress Valley, Calif., was recovered February 28, the night of the incident.
A Mishap Analysis Board has been convened by the commandant of the Coast Guard. The team will conduct a safety analysis of all aspects of the accident to determine causal factors and make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of similar mishaps in the future.
The Coast Guard reminds the public that debris associated with the helicopter wreckage should not be handled. The public is asked to contact the Sector Mobile command center or local authorities if they find any debris believed to be associated with the helicopter wreckage. The command center’s number is 251-441-6211.
