The Navy has recovered the remains of the five sailors who died in a helicopter crash back in August.
The wreckage and remains were found on Oct. 8, the Navy announced in a press release on Tuesday. The Naval Sea Systems Command’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving used the HOS Bayou multipurpose service vessel and found them at a depth of approximately 5,300 feet below the water level.
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Once the Bayou returned to the Naval Air Station North Island two days after the recovery, the remains were transferred to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for identification.
The sailors who died were: Lt. Bradley A. Foster, 29, a pilot from Oakhurst, California; Lt. Paul R. Fridley, 28, a pilot from Annandale, Virginia; Naval Air Crewman 2nd Class James P. Buriak, 31, from Salem, Virginia; Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Sarah F. Burns, 31, from Severna Park, Maryland; and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bailey J. Tucker, 21, from St. Louis, Missouri.
The MH-60s helicopter crashed on Aug. 31 when it touched down on the USS Abraham Lincoln. The helicopter experienced “side-to-side vibrations causing [the] main rotor to strike [the] flight deck” before falling overboard, according to a center mishap report.
It took place roughly 60 nautical miles off the coast. There then was a joint Navy and Coast Guard rescue operation, which was called off when the Navy declared them deceased.
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Five additional sailors were hurt in the incident. Two had to be transported ashore for treatment, while the other three suffered minor injuries and were able to remain on the ship.
The accident remains under investigation.
