The US Navy reports that a plane went down in the Chincoteague Bay just outside of the NASA Wallops Island Flight around 7:30PM on Wednesday. A Navy E2-D Hawkeye was conducting normal routine flight operations when, for unknown reasons, the aircraft went down into the waters of the Chincoteague Bay.
Upon arrival of the Coast Guard, the Ocean City Dive Team, Accomack County VA’s, and Wicomico County first responders found two individuals who escaped to the top of the aircraft.
TV Delmarva News has learned that a third person was still inside the aircraft at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. The two other crew members sustained non-life threatening injuries.
An investigation remains ongoing at this time to determine what caused the crash of the E2-D Hawkeye. The names of the crew members and pilot are being withheld at this time.