U.S. Navy helicopter disappears over Red Sea after distress signal
Public flight-tracking systems have reported the disappearance of a U.S. Navy helicopter over the Red Sea, near the Saudi Arabian coast of the city of Yanbu, after the aircraft sent out a distress message.
According to data published by FlightRadar24, the multi-role MH-60S helicopter transmitted the emergency code 7700 before its signal was lost. In aviation, the code is recognised as a sign of a general emergency.
Flight path information and data from the aircraft’s transponder show that shortly after the emergency code was activated, the helicopter’s speed dropped sharply. Minutes after that slowdown, tracking signals were lost and the helicopter disappeared from public radar services.
In response to the incident, a U.S. maritime patrol aircraft was reported to have been dispatched to the last location where the helicopter was recorded before its signal was cut off.
As of the publication of this report, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have not issued any official statement or operational report on the cause of the incident, the helicopter’s condition, or the number of people on board.
The development comes as a U.S. official told Al Jazeera that Washington is helping Saudi Arabia counter Houthi attacks, including in planning, intelligence sharing and refuelling. The official added that Saudi Arabia uses U.S. refuelling capabilities to defend its airspace and support anti-Houthi forces, and that about 200 American advisers are providing guidance at Saudi planning centres.
