WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- A large U.S. Navy helicopter crashed Wednesday off the coast of Virginia, military officials said, sparking a search and rescue operation for possible survivors. News reports said five people are believed to have been on board the aircraft.

The accident happened late Wednesday morning when the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft went down in the water about 18 miles (29 kilometers) off Cape Henry. News reports said five crew members were on board the aircraft, which is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the U.S. military.

A U.S. Navy spokesman confirmed a search and rescue operation was ongoing as of noon EST, but had no other details. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokeswoman Arlene Salac referred inquires about the accident to Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.

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