Additional Coverage:
Tragedy Off San Diego Coast: Six Killed in Small Plane Crash
A small plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Point Loma, San Diego, on Sunday afternoon, killing all six people on board. The twin-engine Cessna 414 went down just five minutes after taking off from San Diego International Airport, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation by the Coast Guard.
A chilling air traffic control recording captured the pilot’s desperate mayday call as he struggled to control the aircraft. “Just struggling right now to maintain heading… and climb,” the pilot reported to the controller, who directed him to attempt a landing at the nearby Naval Air Station North Island. Tragically, the plane crashed before it could reach the base.
Flight tracking data reveals the plane reached a maximum altitude of only 2,100 feet before making two left turns. The aircraft was en route to Phoenix.
The FAA confirmed the fatalities, stating the plane crashed “under unknown circumstances.” The Coast Guard is currently searching a debris field. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.
Preliminary weather reports indicate conditions at the time were not severe, with 10-mile visibility and moderate winds. However, a thick cloud layer was present at approximately 1,500 feet.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.