What we know about Navy E-2D Hawkeye plane crash in Virginia

A fatal U.S. Navy plane crash in the water near Chincoteague is under investigation.

One crew member died and two were injured when the aircraft went down along the Eastern Shore.

"Together we grieve the loss of our U.S. Navy shipmate in yesterday’s E2-D crash near Wallops Island and Chincoteague, Virginia. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our Navy team. To the two injured Sailors, we wish you swift healing. We have the watch," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said in a statement.

Here's what we know about the crash:

What happened?

The aircraft was conducting routine flight operations when the crash occurred at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs.

First responders said they were notified about the incident at 7:32 p.m. The aircraft was found partially submerged in the water just north of Chincoteague Island, according to a statement from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.

BACKGROUND: Coast Guard: Military plane crashes near Chincoteague

A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson told Delmarva Now the crash site was near Wildcat Marsh, which is part of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge near the Maryland-Virginia border.

Several other agencies responded to the incident, including the Wallops Fire Department, Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department, New Church Volunteer Fire Company, Virginia Marine Police, Maryland State Police, Salisbury Fire Department, Ocean City Fire Department, Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company, Girdletree Volunteer Fire Company, Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Company, Pocomoke City Emergency Medical Services, Worcester County Sheriffs Office, Maryland Natural Resources Police and Stockton Volunteer Fire Company.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

How many people were on board?

The Navy confirmed there were three crew members on the aircraft.

Two of the crew members were found on a wing, according to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. One person was taken by ground, and the other by helicopter to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Hospital in Salisbury.

RELATED: Navy confirms 1 dead, 2 injured in plane crash near Chincoteague

They were still in the hospital as of Thursday evening being treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, the Navy said.

The third crew member, identified by the Navy as Lt. Hyrum Hanlon, was found dead inside the aircraft. Local dive teams and rescue swimmers were on scene to support the search and recovery effort.

What do we know about Lt. Hanlon?

Hanlon was commissioned in the Navy from Arizona State University in May 2017.

He reported to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 120 in January 2021.

VAW-120's mission "is to fly and train Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers, and Naval Aircrewmen to safely and effectively operate E-2 and C-2 aircraft," the Navy website stated.

"It takes a courageous and patriotic person to devote their life to the selflessness of serving in the armed forces. Hyrum embodied those characteristics and will be truly missed by his family and the Hawkeye community. We sincerely appreciate the public respecting the family’s privacy during this difficult time as they mourn his loss,” Cmdr. Martin Fentress Jr., commanding officer of VAW-120, said in a statement.

What kind of aircraft crashed?

The aircraft was a Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye assigned to VAW-120.

Manufactured by Northrop-Grumman, the Hawkeye's purpose "is to provide command and control leadership to aircraft carrier strike groups," according to the Naval Air Force Atlantic website.

It's able to detect ships and aircraft in excess of 300 nautical miles and can reach a speed of 300-plus knots. The aircraft has an overall length of more than 57 feet and weighs 40,484 pounds when empty.

The Hawkeye is flown by squadrons stationed in Norfolk, California and Japan.

What happens next?

In a Thursday night update, the Navy said planning was underway to salvage the aircraft.

"All reports indicate that the fuel tanks on the aircraft remain intact, with no concerns to public health," the update stated.

NAVY PLANE CRASH: Planning underway to salvage E-2D Hawkeye that went down near Wallops

Fentress said in a statement the Navy is committed to determining the cause of the crash.

Plans to salvage the aircraft are being coordinated with state and local officials.

"The health and safety of the local community is a top priority during recovery efforts; overflight aircraft confirmed no pollution or discharge of fuel in the area. Salvage operations are expected to proceed in accordance with standard procedures which consider all environmental impacts," a Friday afternoon update from the Navy stated.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Navy E-2D Hawkeye plane crash in Virginia: What we know