A Canadian Forces helicopter with six crew on board, crashed into the sea off Greece Wednesday, killing one crew member. Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough , a 23 year old from Nova Scotia who was identified as the deceased.

Chief of Defence Staff General Johnathan Vance says, at 4:35 pm, Eastern European time, the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter took off from HMCS Fredericton, off the coast of Greece.

Defense Minister Harjit Sajjn says the search continues for the five other crew on board. He says they have recovered the flight data and voice recorders from the aircraft.

Speaking in Ottawa Thursday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences and assurances that the government will get answers in due course about how this tragedy occurred. Canadian officials are working with Greek and NATO officials on that.

The chopper was on a six month NATO deployment, called Operation Reassurance, and this past week was taking part in exercises in the Ionian Sea which is where the helicopter went down.

The Cyclone helicopter fleet has now been put on an operational pause. The Cyclone helicopter replaced the aging Sea Kings.