A Phoenix search team found the wreck site in late March using a towed Pinger Locator System (PLS-30), a passive acoustic system designed to detect emissions from salt-water activated beacons found on most aircraft. ORION, the US Navy’s 20,000 feet depth capable, towed side scan sonar system subsequently refined and mapped the wreck site. The Navy salvage vessel USS GRASP (ARS 51) was used to support the search/location phase of the operation. In April, Phoenix deployed aboard the M/V POWHATAN using CURV III, the US Navy’s 20,000 ft. depth capable Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), to begin rigging the 24,300 lb. helicopter for recovery. After the CH-46 was rigged, Phoenix personnel assisted the Navy Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit Two in lifting the helicopter to the surface, and loading it onto the Naval Air Warfare Center vessel, NAWC-38, for transport back to shore. Upon its arrival on shore, an investigation team will examine the wreckage to determine the cause of the crash. The successful recovery was hampered by poor weather conditions at the site, and observed Gulf Stream currents of 4.9 knots.

The US Navy, through the Naval Sea Systems Command‘s Office of the Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (NAVSEA 00C) developed and maintains a national capability to search, locate, and recover objects of interest lost in water depths to 20,000 feet. In addition to meeting the Navy’s search and recovery needs, the Supervisor of Salvage (SUPSALV) offers its assistance in support of accident investigations by the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, NASA, FAA, and NTSB as well as to foreign governments and agencies requesting such expertise.

Phoenix provides high quality manned and unmanned marine services to an international customer base from major facilities in Landover, MD and Morgan City, LA. Phoenix is the SUPSALV prime contractor responsible for maintaining, modifying, upgrading, and operating Navy owned sonar, ROV, and heavy lift equipment required to plan and conduct underwater search and recovery operations on a worldwide basis.