At least 1 dead & 2 missing after plane crashes into sea off California sparking major operation as debris washes ashore
Authorities have confirmed that a private plane plummeted into the water in Pacific Grove at around 10:40 pm on Saturday night.
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The Beech 95-B55 was en route to Monterey Regional Airport from San Carlos Airport where it had departed around 10:07 pm, according to Flight Radar.
It is believed to have ran into trouble shortly after take off with data from the Aviation Safety Network showing that it "crashed into the sea during a night-time approach to Monterey Airport."
"On approach the aircraft entered a descending left-hand turn. During the turn the aircraft climbed again before entering a high-speed descent until it crashed into the sea about 22:38 hours," per the aviation outlet.
Now, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, Pacific Grove Police, the Coast Guard, and CAL Fire are engaged in the search for those who were onboard the two-engine aircraft.
The Coast Guard has said that three people were on board the plane, per KSBW Action News.
In an update, a reporter from KION News who is at the scene, said that the body of one person has been recovered as divers continue to search the area.
"This is now a recovery mission," he told viewers as divers could be seen in the water.
Responders received a lost radar alert as well a flurry of 911 calls from horrified locals who said they heard an engine revving or a loud noise before a huge splash in the ocean near Asilomar.
On Facebook, one local said: "I'm dog sitting for my daughter in Pacific Grove. I'm laying in bed around 10PM and I hear a low flying airplane overhead.
"I'm wondering to myself 'it sounds like it might hit her house'. Then I hear a sudden splat and it goes silent."
Moment 150 terrified passengers flee plane engulfed in smoke after landing gear issue sparked fire and injured one
Another told KION News that a loud noise woke him up and it "sounded like a plane doing stunts over my roof - I thought I was dreaming".
Emergency officials believe the aircraft plummeted into the sea between 200 meters and a quarter of a mile off the coastline.
As the recovery operation continues, debris from the horror crash has started washing ashore including luggage, seat cushions, and parts of the aircraft, a CAL FIRE spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard said that numerous lifeboats and a helicopter were deployed minutes after reports of the crash came in.
It is not yet known what caused the crash but the National Transportation Safety Board will start to assess the debris for possible answers.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to the Pacific Grove Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff's Office for an update.
The identities of those on board have not been released.
Locals have shared on Facebook how the news reminded them of the plane crash that killed folk and country star John Denver.
Denver died on October 12, 1997, at the age of 53 when his plane crashed into Monterey Bay.
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