SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – A search was launched Wednesday morning after an aircraft carrying three people went down near San Clemente Island, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
In a tweet at 8:51 a.m., U.S. Coast Guard Southern California officials said, “A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew has launched for search and rescue efforts for the report of a downed aircraft with 3 persons on board 1 mile SW of San Clemente Island.”
Coast Guard officials said in a press release that a call was received at 7:53 a.m. regarding a reported “aircraft emergency" aboard the Phoenix Air Learjet.
Officials added the Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility on San Clemente Island “reported that the aircraft didn’t make it back to the runway.”
Military officials said the plane, described as "a civilian aircraft contracted by the U.S. Navy," had departed Point Mugu Naval Air Station in Ventura County with three civilians – all male -- on board.
According to the Coast Guard, along with the USCG helicopter, Navy and Customs and Border Protection teams joined in the search for the aircraft.
“The Coast Guard will be leading search efforts with the help of multiple agencies and we will continue to do so with the hope of finding them alive," said Chief Petty Officer Levi Read, U.S. Coast Guard.
Coast Guard officials confirmed search-and-rescue crews spotted a debris field near San Clemente Island as they searched for survivors.
Search crews found the aircraft, but the plane’s three occupants were still missing.
