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Rescuers are frantically searching for survivors after two planes collided in mid-air and crashed in the waters off San Pedro Harbor.
#LightIC Update @USCGLosAngeles and #FAA confirms this was a mid-air collision between two aircrafts.
— LACoLifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) February 6, 2016
On Friday afternoon, at 3:15 p.m., people on board a fishing boat reported seeing at least one single-engine plane crash off Cabrillo Beach. The crash happened about 2 miles offshore. "We do have firefighters that have arrived on scene and did state that there was a small debris field in the ocean there, near San Pedro and close to the Long Beach areas," Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department told KTLA.
Multiple agencies are involved in the search and recovery, including the Los Angeles Fire Department, Long Beach Fire Department, Los Angeles County lifeguards, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
As of now there are no reports as to what type of planes they were or who was on board.
Frantic search for survivors after small plane reported down, debris in water near San Pedro https://t.co/leeE5vQLJrhttps://t.co/V6X5o5WjGQ
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) February 6, 2016
Debris field seen in water after plane crash reported off L.A. Harbor https://t.co/iNf6KkvZYd pic.twitter.com/GTBp4Hu5Nl
— L.A. Times: L.A. Now (@LANow) February 6, 2016
#BreakingNews Small plane crash off San Pedro. #LASD Air Rescue 5 on scene w/Tac Medic divers. pic.twitter.com/GKFJFFYpUX
— SEB (@SEBLASD) February 6, 2016
Small Plane reported crash into ocean San Pedro harbor No wreckage seen YET search continues @KCBSKCALDesk @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/CC9KTtdR0H
— stu mundel (@Stu_Mundel) February 6, 2016
Finding some debris in the ocean from the small plane crash. Watch live on our app: https://t.co/3QbJkFnEBr pic.twitter.com/PLjld84mdr
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) February 6, 2016
Updated 12:45pm: One day later, it looks like the Coast Guard has suspended their search for survivors, though the L.A. County Sheriff's Department will continue looking for the planes' wreckage, according to the Daily Breeze. We also know a little bit more about the people aboard the aircraft; one plane had two men, ages 61 and 81, aboard, and the other was piloted by a 72 year old women. Both planes took off from nearby Torrance Airport, and both pilots were considered experienced. Though no names have been released, all the people involved are said to be residents of the South Bay.