Late Wednesday evening in Norfolk, Virginia, a MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter made a hard water crash landing. Four of the five crewmembers were recovered and rushed to the hospital, where later two died. The final crewmember was listed missing in action (MIA), and the Coast Guard began working with the United States Navy to find the missing sailor.

The two surviving sailors are being treated at the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. One is said to be in serious condition, and the other variably holding stable. The names of these men will be released 24 hours after their families have been notified. The search for the missing crewmember continued through the night into the morning. “He was wearing a dry suit,” John Miller, a spokesman from the Fifth Coast Guard District. “And the fact the other crew members were able to get out of the helicopter is a sign that this person may have been able to get out.”

A similar crash occurred in July of 2012 when a Sea Dragon crash landed into a canyon in the Gulf of Oman, leaving only two survivors. Due to the Navy’s pending investigation, it is yet unknown why the helicopter crashed this Wednesday. There are only 29 remaining Sea Dragons in Norfolk, but cost 50 million dollars to make. In light of the recent events, the helicopter is not known to be an unsafe aircraft.

UPDATED ON 1/16/14: The name of the missing pilot is Lt. Sean Chistopher Snydey, who has been declared deceased. The deceased crewmen are recognized as Lt. J. Wesley Van Dorn and Petty Oficer 3^rd class Brian Andrew Collins.