five us navy sailors are declared dead in a helicopter crash four days ago in the pacific ocean off the coast of san diego

Five US Navy sailors have been declared dead four days after their helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean 60 miles off of the coast of San Diego. 

The sailors disappeared on Tuesday while conducting routine flight operations from the USS Abraham Lincoln a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. 

Only one crew member who was aboard the downed MH-60S helicopter has been rescued as is now in stable condition.

Five other crew members had been injured in the crash, the Navy reports, and were saved. 

Two were taken back to California for hospital treatment, with the other three treated on the USS Lincoln. 

The US 3rd fleet confirmed the news in a press release on Saturday.

'We are deeply saddened by the loss of five Sailors and those injured following the MH-60S helicopter tragedy off the coast of Southern California,' Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said. 

'We stand alongside their families, loved ones, and shipmates who grieve.' 

The sailors were aboard an MH-60S helicopter when they crashed into the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday (file photo)

The helicopter crashed into the Pacific at around 4:30 pm local time. 

Meanwhile, the identities of the five sailors have yet to be released as of yet, with Navy officials stating they will withhold their names until tomorrow, per Navy policy. 

It is also still unclear whether their bodies had been recovered as of Saturday afternoon. 

'As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with Navy policy, the identities of the Sailors will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.' 

Earlier Saturday morning, the Navy officially pivoted from search-and-rescue attempts into a full-on recovery mission after a 72-hour period of rescue efforts. 

The rescue attempts were a coordinated effort between the Coast Guard and Navy, according to the Navy

The rescue attempts were a coordinated effort between the Coast Guard and Navy, according to the Navy. 

The helicopter had been based out of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. 

The MH-60S, which is used for anti-surface warfare, combat support, and humanitarian efforts, was first deployed in 2002.

It has a length of nearly 65 feet with a height of 17 feet, and a weight of 14,430 pounds while empty, and 23,500 pounds max gross.

The USS Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, is among the largest warships in the world. 

The Navy said the incident is under investigation, and a cause for the crash remains unclear.