Congressman visits jet crash site

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Congressman Scott Rigell, (R) 2nd District,  toured the site of the Navy jet crash at Mayfair Mews Apartments Tuesday.

At the scene, Rigell met with crash site investigators, as well as emergency and construction crews working to clean up the debris.

Rigell called helping the 84 people displaced by the crash his first concern and finds the relief funds the Navy has already made available to residents encouraging.

"I am very pleased with the short term but I think we need to understand that this is a long-term process. We're not sure if any of those buildings will be available to the residents again," Rigell added.

Rigell told WAVY.com he was not sure if there will be another round of BRAC hearings, which might cause the Navy to re-evaluate the future of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.

"But I'm certain of this, that the relationship between Virginia Beach and the United States Navy is very,very strong, and it can move forward just as it has for decades," he said.

Rigell also mentioned that he was impressed with the work done so far to clean up the scene. The Navy expects debris removal to be complete by the end of the week.

However, the investigations into the accident are far from over.

Crews from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are working to determine whether the area in and around the affected complex were adversely impacted, leaving residents without access to the property for now.

Tim Riley, with the Virginia Beach Fire Department, said, "Right at the impact site is the biggest area of concern because of the jet still there."

Officials will check for airborne contaminants like carbon fibers contained in the wings of the aircraft, spilled jet fuel or any other potentially hazardous material that could have been released when the plane crashed.

Christine Wagner, with the EPA, added, "We're using a series of instruments, and those instruments check for materials, such as fuels and carbon monoxide, and other instruments check for the total particulates in the air."