A disastrous incident unfolded off the California coast when a small aircraft plummeted into the Pacific Ocean, claiming the lives of all six people on board. The victims included the pilot's wife and a father with his three sons.
According to Daily Mail, the 1970 Cessna 414 crashed approximately three miles west of Point Loma in San Diego around 12:45 pm on Sunday. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed Monday morning that all six passengers had perished in the tragic accident.
The aircraft had departed from San Diego Airport and was headed for Phoenix when it went down shortly after takeoff. Before the crash, it had earlier flown from Arizona to San Diego, completing the first leg of what appears to have been a round-trip journey.
Desperate final moments captured
Air traffic control communications revealed the pilot's struggle in the moments before the crash. The pilot reported difficulty maintaining both altitude and heading, twice turning back toward the shore after attempting to fly toward the coast.
Controllers urged the pilot to climb to 4,000 feet and divert to a nearby U.S. naval airport on Coronado Island as the aircraft hovered precariously at just 1,000 feet above the water. However, the pilot indicated he couldn't see the airport before issuing a Mayday call and losing radio contact with ground control.
A surfer who witnessed the final moments described the plane's erratic descent. "I saw him come down at an angle. He wasn't flying straight to the ground," Tyson 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. I knew that they went in the water, nose first, at a high speed."
Extensive recovery operation underway
Coast Guard crews discovered a debris field and oil slick at the crash site, prompting an extensive search and recovery operation. The search involved multiple assets including a Jayhawk helicopter, airplane, cutter, and two small boats.
San Diego lifeguards and Border Patrol joined the effort to recover debris from the crash site. Despite the comprehensive search involving multiple agencies, no survivors were found in the waters off Point Loma.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the causes behind the deadly crash. Such investigations typically examine factors including weather conditions, pilot experience, mechanical issues, and other potential contributing factors.
Aircraft ownership clarified
The Cessna 414 involved in the accident was initially identified in FAA records as belonging to Optimal Health Systems, a vitamin and supplements company based in Pima, Arizona. This connection raised initial questions about potential business-related travel.
However, Douglas Grant, who founded the company with his wife Hilary Kit, issued a statement clarifying that they had sold the plane to private buyers in 2023. The aircraft was, therefore, no longer associated with their business operations at the time of the crash.
Grant expressed his condolences in a public statement, revealing a personal connection to those lost. "We personally know several of the passengers onboard, and our sincerest condolences are offered to those affected by the tragedy, all of whom are incredible members of our small community," he said.
Tragedy strikes coastal community
The aviation disaster has sent shockwaves through both the San Diego community and the hometown of the victims in Arizona. The loss of multiple family members in a single incident has compounded the tragedy for those left behind.
The 1970 Cessna 414 is a twin-engine aircraft often used for private and business transportation. While generally considered reliable, older aircraft require vigilant maintenance and careful operation, particularly when flying over bodies of water where emergency landing options are limited.
This incident adds to a series of small aircraft accidents that have occurred in coastal regions, where changing weather conditions and visibility challenges can create hazardous flying environments. The crash occurred in broad daylight on Sunday, with the pilot apparently experiencing mechanical or navigational difficulties almost immediately after takeoff.
