PORTSMOUTH, Va. – The Coast Guard is assisting the Navy in their search for survivors of a naval aircraft that went down 150 miles off the Coast of the Virginia Capes.
Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., launched a C-130 Hercules airplane at approximately 12:15 a.m. today to search for three people who were reported to be on board the E-2C “Hawkeye” aircraft that went down shortly after takeoff from the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75).
The 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Block Island, home ported in Fort Macon, N.C., has been on scene throughout the morning. An HH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City is also on scene.
The aircraft crashed at approximately 11:30 p.m. Wednesday following its launch from U.S.S. Harry S. Truman. The ship was conducting routine training operations at the time.
Details of the crash are under investigation by the Navy.
