US military aircraft found crashed off Australian coast - Three marines still missing
AN AUSTRALIAN Navy survey ship has located a US military aircraft that crashed off the Australian northeast coast at the weekend and left three Marines missing, Defence Minister Marise Payne has said.
US Marine aircraft crashes off the coast of Australia
The navy divers will conduct remotely operated underwater vehicle operations before considering sending down divers, Ms Payne said in a statement.
The US Marine Corps had suspended a search for the three Marines missing since the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft crashed while on regular operations on Saturday.
The Marines have described the incident as a "mishap" and said it was under investigation.
Shortly after commencing survey operations in the area, the submerged aircraft was located
Ms Payne said in a statement: "Royal Australian Navy survey ship Melville arrived in Shoalwater Bay overnight.
"Shortly after commencing survey operations in the area, the submerged aircraft was located."
The aircraft had taken off from the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) amphibious assault ship and was on regular operations when it crashed, according to the Marine Corps.
Twenty-three other personnel aboard the aircraft were rescued.
The Marine Corps said earlier it had shifted from a search-and-rescue effort to a recovery operation, which could last several months.