Search and Rescue Suspended in Midair Plane Crash

Three people remain missing and no new wreckage was found today following the suspected mid-air plane collision over the ocean near San Pedro.

Some debris from the two aircrafts believed to be involved in yesterday’s crash was found soon after the incident, but nothing more has been recovered today.

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its active search for the downed planes this morning, with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department’s Emergency Services Detail taking over the lead on efforts to recover plane wreckage and occupants. Also supporting the search is the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguards and the Los Angeles Port Police.

Most of the search effort moved underwater today, with experts on multiple boats using underwater ROVs and divers to reach depths of 90 to 100 feet, according to the sheriff’s department. Water conditions have been fair, with 4 to 6 foot swells, during those dives, which are taking place in areas where debris or oil sheen were seen yesterday. Federal Aviation Administration radar records also are being used to help in the search.

The Coast Guard originally had two 87-foot patrol boats, Cutters Narwahl and Blackfin, searching throughout the night until about 9 a.m. Since then, the rescue operation has transitioned to a recovery operation, according to the USCG.

The Coast Guard safety zone surrounding the recovery operations remains in effect, with all traffic normally transitioning through Angels Gate being asked to re-route, enter and depart from the Long Beach Queens Gate entrance.

The two small aircraft believed to be involved in the crash were described as a Beech 35 Bonanza and a Citabria, according to FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer.

“Local authorities say that two people were aboard the Beech Bonanza and one person was onboard the Citabria,” Kenitzer said.

According to officials, both aircraft were operated out of the Torrance Municipal Airport.

The crew of a fishing boat reported a plane hitting the water on Friday, an official with the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Lifeguards Division said.

A small debris field was located after a plane was reported down at 3:14 p.m. Friday, near the Point Fermin Lighthouse, according to Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department, which assisted in a multi-agency search effort.

A Coast Guard helicopter was launched at 6:30 a.m. today to perform an aerial evaluation of the search effort, said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Andrea Anderson.

Two men, one 61 and the other 81, were believed to be in the plane that crashed off San Pedro and left the debris field, Anderson said.

A woman was believed to have been piloting the second plane, which has not made contact or been seen since the crash, Anderson said.

All three missing people were from the South Bay area, a Coast Guard official said.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, according to Kenitzer.

City News Service