Three people have died after a small aeroplane crashed into the ocean off the central California coast, with their bodies later recovered by emergency services. The incident occurred on Saturday evening near Point Pinos in Monterey County, according to the US Coast Guard.
Witnesses reported hearing the aircraft engine revving followed by a splash in the water. Debris was seen washing ashore, and the Coast Guard, working with local law enforcement and fire agencies, dispatched boat and helicopter crews to search for the victims.
The deceased have been identified as Steve Clatterbuck, 60, of Salinas; James Vincent, 36, of Monterey; and Jamie Tabscott, 44, of Monterey. They were all local residents.
The twin-engine Beech 95-B55 Baron had taken off from San Carlos Airport at 10.11pm local time and was last tracked near Monterey at 10.37pm, according to FlightAware.com data.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.
