Body Of Navy Pilot Found

The body of Sean Snyder, the Navy pilot missing since January 8th, has been found.

"He was on board a helicopter that crashed off the coast of Virginia Beach a week ago. Five crew members were on board. Two died from their injuries at the hospital. Two others have been released."

Snyder's remains were found Tuesday — divers discovered it in the cockpit among the wreckage. The crash was, tragically, part of a routine operation, the Navy said. At around 10:45 am last Wednesday, the crew issued a distress call — and the chopper went down quickly after.

"A training exercise over the Atlantic when it went down about 18 miles east of Cape Henry. Four sailors were rescued shortly after the accident while the search immediately began for the helicopter's pilot."

"Rescue crews searched over 500 miles to find him. This morning, investigators still don't know what caused the crash. A memorial service for the victims is scheduled for Friday."

Bad weather had forced search operations to stop a few times over the last week. According to the Navy, the MH-53E Sea Dragon, the helicopter Snyder was flying, carries no weapons. 

​Snyder's family has thanked the Navy and everyone who helped search, and released this statement: "Sean was a man of honor and a true hero, not only to his country but also to his wife, children, family and friends."

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/15/us/chopper-crash-missing-pilot/index.html?hpt=hp_t2