NORFOLK, Va. – Navy divers searching the wreckage of the MH-53E “Sea Dragon” recovered the remains of missing pilot, Lt. Sean Christopher Snyder, earlier today.
Divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, operating aboard USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51), located the aircraft’s cockpit late Monday using a remotely operated vehicle and confirmed the presence of remains in the wreckage.
Salvage operations were suspended late Monday evening due to deteriorating weather conditions. USNS Grasp resumed recovery efforts early Tuesday morning.
Snyder, 39, assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14, went missing when his MH-53E “Sea Dragon” crashed off the coast of Virginia Beach while conducting routine mine countermeasure training.
Five crew members were on board the MH-53E when it crashed Jan. 8, approximately 18 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. Four of the crew members were rescued and taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for treatment. Two crew members died at the hospital from their injuries. The two other rescued crewm embers have been released from the hospital.
A memorial service for the three crew members killed in the crash is being planned for Friday at Naval Station Norfolk.
The cause of the crash is being investigated.