Navy Planning Salvage Efforts for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Crash That Killed Sailor

March 31, 2022 6:48 AM - Updated: March 31, 2022 5:47 PM
An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, attached to the ‘Seahawks’ of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 126, prepares to land on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on Dec. 2, 2021. US Navy Photo

This story has been updated to include information about salvage efforts. 

The Navy is currently planning salvage efforts for an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye that crashed Wednesday near Wallops Island and Chincoteague, Va., killing one sailor.

The crash is still under investigation, according to an updated Navy press release sent out Thursday evening.

Two other crew members from the Hawkeye, assigned to an East Coast Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW), were injured, according to a Navy press released Wednesday night. The release did not include the names of the deceased or injured crew members due to privacy and to inform next of kin. The aircraft crashed around 7:30 p.m.

“Two crew members were rescued by Maryland State Police and transported to Wallops Island for follow-on medical treatment for non life-threatening injuries,” reads the Navy statement.

The third crew member was found dead in the aircraft. A report from Richmond station WRIC said the two surviving crew members suffered broken legs.

“The Worcester County Fire Department Dive Team supported the search and recovery of the deceased,” the statement reads.

The E-2D was partially submerged near Wildcat Marsh, on the northern end of Chincoteague Island, just south of the Maryland border. Nearby Wallops Island is a testing facility for both the Navy and NASA.

The following is the complete Thursday statement from the Navy.

Norfolk-based E-2 Hawkeye Crashes, Two Injured, One Fatality

From Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. – A Navy E-2D Hawkeye assigned to an East Coast Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) crashed in the vicinity of Wallops Island and Chincoteague, Va., March 30. One crew member has died and two have been injured.

The E-2D crashed at approximately 7:30 p.m. Two crew members were rescued by Maryland State Police and transported to Wallops Island for follow-on medical treatment for non life-threatening injuries. The names of injured crewmembers will not be released due to privacy concerns.

Unfortunately, the third crew member was found deceased in the aircraft. The Worcester County Fire Department Dive Team supported the search and recovery of the deceased. The name of the crew member killed will not be released pending primary next of kin notification.

This incident is under investigation, and updates will be provided as the situation develops.

Heather Mongilio

Heather Mongilio

Heather Mongilio is a reporter with USNI News. She has a master’s degree in science journalism and has covered local courts, crime, health, military affairs and the Naval Academy.
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