US Navy aircraft carrying 11 crashes off Japan

[VacantStand]

BBC News reporting:
A US Navy aircraft carrying 11 crew and passengers has crashed into the sea off the coast of Japan.
The cause of crash is unknown and the names those onboard are being withheld while next of kin are notified, the US Navy said in a statement.
The aircraft was en route to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the Philippine Sea.

[ORAC]

Confusion in reports, some say an aircraft, other’s a helicopter, which presumably could also mean an MV-22.

https://news.sky.com/story/us-navy-helicopter-carrying-11-crashes-into-pacific-11138416

The US Navy has said an aircraft carrying 11 crew and passengers has crashed into the Pacific. The 7th fleet, based in Japan, said a search and rescue operation was under way.

"A United States Navy aircraft carrying 11 crew and passengers crashed into the ocean southeast of Okinawa," a statement from the Navy said. "Personnel recovery is under way and their condition will be evaluated by USS Ronald Reagan medical staff. The aircraft was en route to the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, which is currently operating in the Philippine Sea. USS Ronald Reagan is conducting search and rescue operations. The cause of the crash is not known at this time."

It was operating in the Philippine Sea when the crash happened at 2.45pm local time (approximately 5.45am GMT).

Names are being withheld before next of kin can be informed.....

[Airbubba]

Some reports have the aircraft as a C-2.

[Brat]

Thoughts are with family and friends.

[NutLoose]

Reporting some have been recovered.

A search and rescue operation has found eight of those who were on board the C-2 "Greyhound" transport aircraft, but their condition is unclear, the Navy said.



https://news.sky.com/story/us-navy-aircraft-carrying-11-crashes-into-pacific-11138416

[ORAC]

The Navy’s 7th Fleet has endured another maritime accident with the crash of a transport aircraft with 11 people on board in the Philippine Sea.

Eight of the passengers were found alive and in "good condition" after the twin-engine C-2 Greyhound plunged into the ocean during a flight to the USS Ronald Reagan just before 3 p.m. local time, U.S. officials said. Three others remained unaccounted for.....

[hoss183]

BBC reporting it was a C-2 and 8 rescued
US Navy aircraft crash: Eight rescued off Japanese coast - BBC News (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42078318)

[RAFEngO74to09]

Crashed in the sea off the coast of Japan en route to USS Ronald Reagan.

11 POB - 8 recovered - 3 missing.

[NutLoose]

http://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/602229-us-navy-aircraft-carrying-11-crashes-off-japan.html

[Thaihawk]

Crashed airplane from unit VRC-30 Det 5.

[oxenos]

plunged into the ocean
and
Eight of the passengers were found alive and in "good condition"
do not seem compatable

[Airbubba]

Here's a Navy media update:

Search for Sailors continues in Philippine Sea

By Commander, Task Force 70 Public Affairs | | November 22, 2017

PHILIPPINE SEA - Search and rescue operations continue for three personnel following a C-2A Greyhound aircraft crash southeast of Okinawa at 2:45 p.m. today.

Eight personnel were recovered by the "Golden Falcons" of U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC 12). The eight personnel were transferred to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) for medical evaluation and are in good condition at this time.

"Our entire focus is on finding all of our Sailors," said Rear Adm. Marc H. Dalton, Commander, Task Force 70. "U.S. and Japanese ships and aircraft are searching the area of the crash, and we will be relentless in our efforts."

USS Ronald Reagan is leading search and rescue efforts with the following ships and aircraft: U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63); MH-60R Seahawk helicopters of the "Saberhawks" from U.S. Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM 77); P-8 aircraft from the "Fighting Tigers" of U.S. Navy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 8; P-3 Orion aircraft of the "Red Hook" U.S. Navy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 40; Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Helicopter Carrier Japan Ship (JS) Kaga (DDH 184); and JMSDF Hatakaze-class destroyer Japan Ship (JS) Shimakaze (DDG 172).

At approximately 2:45 p.m. Japan Standard Time, Nov. 22, 2017, the C2-A aircraft with 11 crew and passengers onboard crashed into the ocean approximately 500 nautical miles southeast of Okinawa. The aircraft was conducting a routine transport flight carrying passengers and cargo from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to USS Ronald Reagan.

The C2-A is assigned to the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Three Zero, Detachment Five, forward deployed in NAF Atsugi, Japan. Detachment Five's mission includes the transport of high-priority cargo, mail, duty passengers and Distinguished Visitors between USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and shore bases throughout the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia theaters.

Search for Sailors continues in Philippine Sea > Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet > Display (http://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/1379235/search-for-sailors-continues-in-philippine-sea/)

A couple of earlier media reports:

A Navy public affairs officer told CNN the plane was on approach to the carrier, but didn’t know how far away it was.

“I have been informed from the US military that engine trouble may have caused (the crash),” Japan’s Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters Wednesday.

Navy aircraft crash leaves 3 missing in Philippine Sea | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2017/11/22/navy-aircraft-crash-leaves-3-missing-in-philippine-sea/)

[Airbubba]

Names may be released in another day or so in accordance with the customary 72-hour withholding protocol.

The missing sailors were previously in 'duty status whereabouts unknown' (DUSTWUN) status. I presume the status will now become 'missing'. :(

Search ends for Sailors in C-2A crash

By Commander, Task Force 70 Public Affairs | | November 23, 2017

PHILIPPINE SEA – The U.S. Navy ceased search and rescue operations at 10:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time on Nov. 24 for three Sailors not immediately recovered after a C-2A Greyhound crashed on the afternoon of Nov. 22.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) led the combined search and rescue efforts with units from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). During the course of two days, seven U.S. Navy and JMSDF ships, three helicopter squadrons and maritime patrol aircraft covered nearly 1000 square nautical miles in the search for the missing sailors.

Eight Sailors were immediately recovered from the crash and transferred to Ronald Reagan for medical evaluation. All are in good condition at this time.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our lost shipmates and their families,” said Rear Adm. Marc Dalton, Commander, Task Force 70. “As difficult as this is, we are thankful for the rapid and effective response that led to the rescue of eight of our shipmates, and I appreciate the professionalism and dedication shown by all who participated in the search efforts.”

The Sailors names are being withheld pending completion of next of kin notifications.

The following ships and aircraft assisted in the search efforts: U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers USS Stethem (DDG 63), USS Chafee (DDG 90) and USS Mustin (DDG 89); MH-60R Seahawk helicopters of the “Saberhawks” from U.S. Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 “Saberhawks” and “Warlords” of HSM 51; MH-60S helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC-12); P-8 aircraft from the “Fighting Tigers” of U.S. Navy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 8; P-3 Orion aircraft of the “Red Hook” U.S. Navy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 40; JMSDF Helicopter Carrier JS Kaga (DDH 184) and JS Ise (DDH 182); JMSDF Akizuki-class destroyer JS Teruzuki (DD 116); JMSDF Murasame-class destroyer JS Samidare (DD 106), and JMSDF Hatakaze-class destroyer JS Shimakaze (DDG 172).

An investigation is currently underway.

Search ends for Sailors in C-2A crash > Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet > Display (http://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/1380140/search-ends-for-sailors-in-c-2a-crash/)

[VacantStand]

news.usni.org/2017/11/25/navy-identifies-3-sailors-presumed-dead-following-c-2a-crash-philippine-sea

[sandiego89]

I recall a C-2 driver telling me that they were not very optimistic about a ditching scenario with the aircraft. The cockpit has escape panels but it is not an easy climb to the cockpit from the cargo bay, and the egress routes from the cargo bay are limited. A high wing aircraft in the water puts the fuselage underwater very quickly. A terrible situation, so sad.

[VacantStand]

Indeed, reports do seem to indicate a controlled ditching after double engine failure.

www.stripes.com/navy-fallen-pilot-s-heroic-flying-saved-lives-in-philippine-sea-crash-1.499843

[Lonewolf_50]

If you lose both engines on a C-2, it becomes a matter of gravity and gliding to the point of impact. While I am pretty sure that the C-2 NATOPS has an airstart procedure, the number of dual engine failures in the E-2 and C-2 communities is extremely small ... over the past 40 years.

[sandiego89]

Yikes double engine failure....indeed rare.


So from the Stripes article, 500 miles SE of Okinawa, and departure from Iwakuni (even further north on mainland Japan)- I know the C2 has longish legs, but I imagine fuel state, feed and systems will be early items to consider for a double flame out. Highest regards.

[VacantStand]

The Navy announced late Friday that a team of deep water salvage experts last week located a downed C-2A Greyhound 18,500 feet below the Philippine Sea.
The C-2A Greyhound was transporting 11 military personnel to the USS Ronald Reagan on November 22 when it crashed into the Philippine Sea. After an exhaustive recovery effort that covered 1,000 square nautical miles, eight of the 11 sailors were rescued; three died.

According to a statement released by the Navy’s 7th Fleet, the team of salvage experts located the aircraft on December 29 using sensors that listen for “pings” emitted by the downed aircraft.
At 18,500 feet, “the salvage phase of this operation [will be] the deepest recovery attempt of an aircraft to date,” the Navy said, adding; “Despite very challenging conditions, every effort will be made to recover the aircraft and our fallen sailors.”



abcnews.go.com/International/navy-locates-downed-2a-greyhound-crashed-philippine-sea/story?id=52173935