U.S. Navy helicopter declares emergency over Red Sea
A U.S. Navy helicopter declared an emergency over the Red Sea near Saudi Arabia before disappearing from public flight tracking. The cause of the emergency has not been confirmed.
The Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk, using the call sign VVHR512, declared the emergency at about 5:20 p.m. ET on Monday while flying near Yanbu, a city on Saudi Arabia’s western coast, according to flight tracking data from Flightradar24.
Tracking data showed the helicopter at an altitude of about 475 feet when the emergency was declared. Its displayed altitude then went to zero feet before tracking stopped.
The U.S. Navy has not yet confirmed what happened to the helicopter or its status following the emergency declaration. The reason for the emergency is also unknown.
Some news accounts on social media reported a possible crash, but this has not been confirmed. Aircraft can also disappear from flight-tracking websites because of limited coverage or because the crew switches off the transponder.
The MH-60R is a military helicopter designed to operate from ships and shore bases. Its main roles include detecting and engaging submarines and surface vessels, electronic warfare, and command and control, according to the Navy.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
