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New details emerge in USS Fitzgerald collision investigation

Five of the seven Navy sailors who died aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald when it

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off the east coast of Japan may have been almost instantly "incapacitated" and died quickly, according to a preliminary Navy analysis, a defense official told CNN.

That assessment is based on an examinationof the point of impact and the berths in which the sailors were likely sleeping.

The two ships collided on the Fitzgerald's starboard side directly next to the berthing area, where sailors sleep. The impact ripped the Fitzgerald open and caused water to pour in.

The official also noted the Navy is trying to corroborate accounts which suggest that the two sailors who weren't almost instantly "incapacitated" attempted to help the other five escape the incoming water.

"But at some point the ship somehow lost communication," with the two sailors and they also perished, according to the official. All seven were found dead in the flooded area.

It also appears that the collision caused part of the berthing compartment to collapse inward, making it difficult for survivors to get out.

The official said It may never be known if the order to close the watertight hatch to the berthing area came while the two men were still alive.

The formal investigation will determine who gave that order, but the initial sense is the decision was necessary because water had not only flooded the berthing area but was flowing into other locations including a deck below.

The official emphasized that the Navy will wait for all the investigations to be completed before coming to any conclusions about the actions of the crew and decisions over citations for heroism or potential disciplinary action.

The official also strongly emphasized that no judgments are being made about the timing of the decision to shut the watertight hatch. It is also not clear if those on the bridge called the commanding officer as the crisis unfolded.

The collision occurred very close to the cabin of Cmdr. Bryce Benson, and he was briefly unable to get out. The crew helped him to the bridge, but he was so badly injured that he had to be medevaced off the ship and the second in command took over.

The US Navy, the US Coast Guard, and Japanese naval and maritime authorities are all conducting investigations.

An early assessment suggests the container ship might have been on some type of autopilot system at the time of the collision, the official said.

However, that does not explain how and why the crew of the Fitzgerald did not see the other ship coming, or why they were unable to maneuver away from it, the official said.

Initial reports suggest that the collision occurred at 1:30 a.m., but the container ship crew did not automatically realize it had happened. The container ship turned back, and it appears the collision was then formally reported around 2:20 a.m.

To help determine what happened, investigators will download radar data from the ship's Aegis weapons system, which records routine details on position, course, speed and any nearby ships or aircraft. Navigation and radar data will also be gathered from the cargo ship.

Another factor being examined is the impact of the destruction of the Fitzgerald's communications gear on the ability of the crew to call back to shore to inform commanders they needed help.

Preliminary analysis indicates the collision occurred where the ship's communication nodes are housed and the official said the crew had to resort to using satellite based cell phones to communicate both on board and back to shore.

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NORFOLK (June 27, 2017) Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Christopher M. Carpenter, left, and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Tylar McCranie conduct morning colors on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). The National Ensign flown at half-mast in remembrance of seven Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) who were killed in a collision at sea(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Marlan Sawyer/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 27, 2017) The ensign is flown at half-mast aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in honor of the seven Sailors who died aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). Dwight D. Eisenhower is underway during the sustainment phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan T. Beard/Released)

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PEARL HARBOR (June 27, 2017) The ensign flies at half-mast at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in remembrance of seven Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) who were killed in a collision at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katarzyna Kobiljak/Released)

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SAN DIEGO (June 27, 2017) Operations Specialist 3rd Class Benjamin Kirkpatrick, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) color guard, salutes the national ensign as it flies at half-mast in honor of the seven Sailors lost aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). Carl Vinson is pierside in its homeport of San Diego after completing a five-and-a-half-month deployment to the western Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Granito/Released)

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NORFOLK (June 27, 2017) Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) lower the ensign to half-mast in honor of the seven Sailors killed aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). Abraham Lincoln is moored in Norfolk, Va., for a carrier incremental availability in preparation for workups. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Josue L. Escobosa/Released)

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YOKOSUKA, Japan (June 27, 2017) Sailors fold seven American flags during a memorial ceremony at Fleet Activities Yokosuka honoring the seven Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) who were killed in a collision at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Raymond D. Diaz III/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 27, 2017) Boatswain's Mate Seaman Aisling Glover stands aft lookout watch on the fantail of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Theodore Roosevelt is underway off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexander Perlman/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 25, 2017) An EA-18G Growler assigned to the "Vikings" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 prepares for launch from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The ship is underway off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Anthony J. Rivera/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 24, 2017) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4). McCampbell is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy Graham/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 21, 2017) An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Wolfpack" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 departs the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59). The ship is underway in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional peace and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger/Released)

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USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Robert E. Perry (T-AKE 5) and the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 29, 2017) Sailors move ordnance across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is on an underway period in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia Pacific routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional peace and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leon Wong/Released)

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SYDNEY, Australia (June 29, 2017) Sailors and Marines man the rails aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as the ship arrives in Sydney, Australia. Bonhomme Richard is flagship of its expeditionary strike group, which is in Sydney to advance U.S.-Australian relations ahead of the bilateral training exercise Talisman Saber. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class William Sykes/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 29, 2017) Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Rainee Strebel performs maintenance on an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Eightballers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The ship is on an underway period in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia Pacific routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional peace and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Weston A. Mohr/released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 29, 2017) Ships assigned to Carrier Strike Group 5 sail in formation during a live-fire gunnery exercise. The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, providing a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Burke/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 29, 2017) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) Airman Willie Richardson, left, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) 3rd Class Kayla Laorosa label fuel samples aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is on an underway period in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia Pacific routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional peace and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cole Schroeder/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 29, 2017) An MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) prepares to land aboard the amphibious assault ship. VMM-265 is part of the Aviation Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 31st MEU and the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group arrived in Sydney after transiting south across the vast Pacific Ocean, from Okinawa, Japan, to southeastern Australia in just over three weeks. Sydney is a favorite port stop for both Marines and Sailors crossing the Pacific. VMM-265 is part of the Aviation Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU). The 31st MEU partners with Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 to form the amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 combine to provide a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)

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SYDNEY, Australia (June 29, 2017) Three MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircrafts assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) fly in formation above Sydney, Australia. VMM-265 is part of the Aviation Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU). The 31st MEU partners with Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 to form the amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 combine to provide a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Staff Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)

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MEDITERRANEAN SEA (June 28, 2017) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Taliah Peterkin transports ordnance through the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) during a replenishment-at-sea. The ship and its carrier strike group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tristan B. Lotz/Released)

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TROMSO, Norway (June 28, 2017) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) is moored in Tromso, Norway. Ross is forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert S. Price/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 29, 2017) Sailors move ordnance across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is on an underway period in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia Pacific routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional peace and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leon Wong/Released)

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SYDNEY, Australia (June 29, 2017) Sailors and Marines man the rails aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as the ship arrives in Sydney, Australia. Bonhomme Richard is flagship of its expeditionary strike group, which is in Sydney to advance U.S.-Australian relations ahead of the bilateral training exercise Talisman Saber. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class William Sykes/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 29, 2017) Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Rainee Strebel performs maintenance on an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Eightballers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The ship is on an underway period in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia Pacific routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional peace and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Weston A. Mohr/released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 29, 2017) Ships assigned to Carrier Strike Group 5 sail in formation during a live-fire gunnery exercise. The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, providing a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Burke/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 29, 2017) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) Airman Willie Richardson, left, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) 3rd Class Kayla Laorosa label fuel samples aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is on an underway period in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia Pacific routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional peace and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cole Schroeder/Released)

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