A seven-seater aircraft carrying six people disappeared into the Pacific Ocean off San Diego's coast Sunday afternoon, triggering an extensive search operation. Coast Guard crews discovered a debris field and oil slick approximately three miles west of Point Loma following the crash.
According to a Daily Mail report, the 1970 Cessna 414 went down around 12:45 pm shortly after taking off from San Diego Airport on its way to Phoenix.
The crash prompted an immediate response from multiple agencies, including Coast Guard recovery crews who deployed a Jayhawk helicopter, plane, cutter, and two small boats to search the area. San Diego lifeguards and Border Patrol joined the effort to locate potential survivors in what has become a recovery mission.
Eyewitness describes chilling final moments
A witness to the crash provided a disturbing account of the plane's final moments before it disappeared into the Pacific waters. Tyson Wislofsky, who observed the aircraft's descent, shared critical details with local media.
"I saw him come down at an angle. He wasn't flying straight to the ground," Wislofsky told NBC 7. "The next time he came out of the clouds, he went straight into the water. But after I saw this splash, about six seconds later, it was dead silent."
The eyewitness account suggests the aircraft entered the water at high speed in a nose-first position, circumstances that typically leave little chance for survival. The sudden silence following impact painted a grim picture of the crash's severity.
Recovery efforts continue with multiple agencies
San Diego Fire and Rescue confirmed they had recovered initial debris from the crash site, which has been transferred to Coast Guard authorities for investigation. Their Triton vessel remains on standby to provide additional assistance if needed.
The multi-agency response highlights the complexity of maritime aircraft recovery operations. Coast Guard vessels and aircraft continue patrolling the area where the oil slick and debris field were discovered, searching for signs of the missing occupants or additional wreckage.
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken charge of investigating the crash's cause, though preliminary findings may take weeks or months to compile. Aircraft accident investigations typically involve examining recovered debris, weather conditions, communications with air traffic control, and the aircraft's maintenance history.
Plane linked to Arizona supplement company
The crashed aircraft has been identified as belonging to Optimal Health Systems, a vitamin and supplements company based in Pima, Arizona. The company specializes in health products, though its connection to the flight remains unclear.
Douglas Grant, who founded the company with his wife Hilary Kit, could not be reached for comment when contacted Monday morning. The relationship between the company's ownership and those aboard the aircraft has not been confirmed.
The 1970 Cessna 414 is a twin-engine light corporate aircraft with a capacity for seven occupants, including the pilot. The model has been a popular choice for small businesses and private aviation for decades, typically used for regional transportation needs.
Search continues for six missing individuals
The Coast Guard search operation enters a critical phase as crews race against time to locate potential survivors from the Sunday afternoon crash. With six people believed to be aboard the aircraft, authorities have mobilized significant resources.
Recovery crews face challenging conditions as they comb through the debris field approximately three miles west of Point Loma. The search area encompasses where witnesses reported seeing the aircraft enter the water after experiencing apparent difficulties.
The identities of those aboard the aircraft have not been released pending notification of family members. The flight's destination was Phoenix, Arizona, though what prompted the plane to crash shortly after takeoff remains under investigation by federal authorities.
