Chopper’s main rotor struck warship before crash off San Diego, Navy says

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, similar to the one pictured above, crashed into the Pacific Ocean on August 31 and killed five sailors aboard. File Photo by Ernest R. Scott/U.S. Navy/UPI

Sept. 8 (UPI) — The U.S. Navy said a utility helicopter that crashed off the cost of San Diego last week, killing five sailors on board, was experiencing vibrations before it plunged into the ocean.

The Navy added the details late Tuesday in an update to the deadly accident.

The MH-60S Sea Hawk chopper went into the ocean while performing exercises with the USS Abraham Lincoln a week ago about 60 nautical miles off the coast of San Diego.

The Navy said the chopper experienced side-to-side vibrations while landing, before the main rotor spun into the flight deck. The helicopter turned over and plunged into the sea.

Only one of six sailors aboard survived the crash. They were assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8.

Five sailors on the ship were injured and two were taken to shore for treatment.

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