'Active Search And Rescue' Continues After Hamptons Plane Crash

QUOGUE, NY — The desperate attempt to find survivors continues in an "active search and rescue" after a small plane plunged into the Atlantic Ocean south of Quogue on Saturday, officials said.

One body was recovered and is now at the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office, the United States Coast Guard said; no information has been released yet on the person's identity. Two others were onboard the plane, the USCG said.

According to United States Coast Guard Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier of USCG Station Shinnecock, Saturday night: "We continue to look for two other individuals and as of right now have divers in the water using sonar to try and find the fuselage of the aircraft. Unfortunately, the fuselage not been found."

While search efforts have ceased for the night, dive operation will recommence in the morning, he said. However, the USCG Cutter "Bonito," an 87’ patrol boat, will remain on the scene overnight — the only USCG asset searching during the night hours. In addition, Strohmaier said, Southampton Town Police will station a lookout on the beach, searching for the two missing and any debris that might wash up on shore.

"This remains an active case and we will reassess in the morning hours," he said.

The flight originated from Danbury, CT, the Coast Guard confirmed.

USCG Lt. Jr. Grade Rodion Mazin confirmed Saturday that one body was found and the search continued for two others. "They're still searching," he said.

Mazin said so far, the fuselage of the aircraft has not been found, just debris, and added that the Coast Guard would stay at the scene overnight to help the Federal Aviation Administration in its quest to determine the the cause of the crash. Locals and divers were at the scene Saturday trying to locate the fuselage.

While the FAA has been told by witnesses at the scene that the aircraft broke apart in the air, it is just speculation at this point, he said, because "we did not see it ourselves."

According to the USCG, at 11:10 a.m., watchstanders at Sector Long Island Sound were notified by Southampton Police that a twin-engine Piper PA-34 had crashed into the water about one mile south of Quogue.

The watchstanders then dispatched a boat crew from Station Shinnecock aboard a 47-' motor lifeboat, the USCG said.

A debris field and oil sheen was located near the reported crash site

Assisting in the search are Suffolk County marine, bay constables, a commercial salvage crew — which is considering sending down divers— as well as a multiple aircrews from the New York Air National Guard.

An aircrew from Air Station Cape Cod was scheduled be dispatched to relieve the Air National Guard, the USCG said.

It's the second time in recent months that a small plane crash has led to loss of life in the Hamptons: In June, a crash off Amagansett took the lives of Ben and Bonnie Krupinski, their grandson William Maerov, and pilot Jon Dollard, leaving hearts broken.

Patch file photo.