6 presumed dead after plane headed for Phoenix crashes near San Diego
A small plane headed for Phoenix crashed into the Pacific Ocean on June 8 in the San Diego area, and search and rescue crews worked overnight to locate the six occupants who were presumed dead.
The crash was initially reported around 12:45 p.m., and the U.S. Coast Guard searched for the twin-engine Cessna 414, tail number N414BA, about three miles west of Point Loma, an oceanside community in San Diego.
The Coast Guard said the debris field from the crash was believed to be about 200 feet deep. The Federal Aviation Administration reported the plane was "destroyed."
A preliminary investigation showed the plane was in the initial climb of its flight and that it crashed under unknown circumstances, according to the FAA.
The FlightAware website depicted the plane making two loops over the coastline just near Point Loma before it crashed.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
The FAA reported five passengers and one member of the flight crew were on board, all of them presumed dead as a result of the crash.
The plane departed from San Diego and was headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, according to FlightRadar24.
The plane's ownership was listed as Optimal Health Systems, based out of Pima, Arizona, in Graham County.
Doug Grant, founder of the business, said the company knew several passengers on board and offered condolences, but denied owning the plane.
"We personally knew several of the passengers onboard and our sincerest condolences are offered to those affected by the tragedy, all of whom are incredible members of our small community," Grant said in a written statement to The Arizona Republic.
He said despite the FAA listing his business as the owner of the plane, Optimal Health Systems sold the aircraft in June 2023 "to a group of private individuals."
He said the purchase and sales agreement included an escrow arrangement and a transfer of the plane's operations.
The day before the crash on June 7, the flight tracker recorded the Cessna traveling from Safford Regional Airport in Graham County to Phoenix and then to San Diego.
This is a developing story, check back to azcentral.com for more details.
Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: San Diego plane crash: 6 on flight to Phoenix presumed dead
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