By Carol Vaughn —
The Navy identified Lt. Hyrum Hanlon as the crew member who lost his life in crash of an E-2D aircraft off Chincoteague March 30 during a routine training mission.
Hanlon, assigned to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 120, was commissioned in the Navy after graduating from Arizona State University in May 2017, according to an April 1 press release from the commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs.
Hanlon reported to VAW-120 Jan. 31, 2021.
“It takes a courageous and patriotic person to devote their life to the selflessness of serving in the armed forces,” said Cmdr. Martin Fentress Jr., Commanding Officer of VAW-120.
Fentress added, “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.”
Hanlon was a native of Snowflake, Ariz., and one of seven siblings, according to 12news.com, the website of a Phoenix television station.
“The First Lady and I are heartbroken by the passing of Navy Lt. Hyrum Hanlon, who tragically lost his life when a Navy E-2D aircraft operating out of Naval Air Station Norfolk crashed in the vicinity of Chincoteague, Virginia. Our hearts go out to their families, the Naval crew members, as well as the members of Naval Air Force Atlantic. This serves as a reminder that our great servicemen and women risk their lives every day to serve our country,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday.
Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company (CVFC), Wallops Fire Department, Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department, and New Church Volunteer Fire Company in Virginia were alerted at 7:32 p.m. March 30 that an aircraft had crashed, reportedly near Queen Sound Bridge, according to a press release from CVFC.
The location upon investigation was found to be in the water north of Chincoteague, off Wildcat Point.
Chincoteague Fire Chief Bobby Lappin established a unified command post, with leadersip from Chincoteague Emergency Management, the Chincoteague Police Department, Wallops Fire Department, the Navy, Wallops Flight Facility, the U.S. Coast Guard, Accomack County Department of Public Safety, and Virginia Marine Resources.
Aviation assets were requested from the Maryland State Police and the Coast Guard.
Local boats along with the Coast Guard, Virginia Marine Police, and the Stockton Fire Company assisted in the search.
The aircraft was found just north of Chincoteague, partially submerged.
Two crew members with non-life threatening injuries were found on the wing of the aircraft and were rescued immediately by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and emergency medical services crews, according to the release.
The victims were transported to a local dock on the northern end of Chincoteague, where EMS units were awaiting their arrival.
One patient was taken by ambulance to Tidal Health in Salisbury and the second was taken by ambulance to Wallops Flight Facility, where transport was completed by a Maryland State Police Medivac aircraft. The Navy did not release the names of the injured crew members.
At the same time, the search for the third crew member was underway and dive teams from Salisbury Fire Department and Ocean City Fire Department were requested to respond to the scene.
The dive teams assisted in the recovery of Hanlon’s remains after his body was found inside the aircraft.
“The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank all the agencies and local assets that responded to this unique and complex emergency,” according to the release.
The Navy is coordinating with state and local officials on planning for the salvage of the aircraft. “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,” according to the Navy’s press release.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
