US Navy Helicopter Crew Escapes After Crashes Into California’s Nearby Pacific Ocean

During a training exercise on Thursday night, a U.S. Navy helicopter went down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California, according to a spokeswoman. Six crew members made it out alive.

Shortly after 6:30 p.m., the MH-60R Seahawk went down in the seas of San Diego Bay, according to a statement from Cmdr. Beth Teach of the Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet. “Due to the nature of the training, a safety boat was on location,” the statement added, according to The Associated Press. To undergo medical examinations, the crew members were brought onshore.

Across an inlet from San Diego, at Coronado, was where the accident occurred. The U.S. Coast Guard and the neighborhood fire department both arrived on the scene. The reason of the collision is being looked into.

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41 operated the aircraft. Located on the Coronado peninsula, at Naval Air Station North Island, is the fleet replacement squadron. On its website, it states that it provides MH-60R Seahawk aircrew training.

According to a Navy website, the MH-60R Seahawk is the primary helicopter used by the service for anti-submarine warfare, but it is also capable of performing a broad range of other duties, such as search and rescue and surveillance.