A search continued Monday for a small plane carrying six people who are presumed dead after the aircraft plunged into the ocean off Sunset Cliffs on Sunday shortly after the pilot reported that he was struggling to control the aircraft.
Air traffic radio transmissions indicate the Cessna 414 pilot said he was “just struggling” to maintain altitude after departing San Diego International Airport.
Over the next few minutes, the controller advised the pilot he was too low and twice told him that he could land at nearby Naval Air Station North Island.
“Mayday, mayday, mayday, mayday!” the pilot responded, according to air traffic radio transmissions recorded on LiveATC.net. It appeared to be his last transmission before the twin-engine aircraft crashed about 5 miles off the coast about 12:30 p.m.
San Diego lifeguards found an oil sheen and some debris from the plane Sunday. Authorities flew aircraft above the site and sent several boats to look but have not reported finding any survivors.
The plane, a pressurized, twin-engine aircraft designed to carry six to eight engers, was slated to head to Phoenix, according to FlightAware.
Coast Guard boats and aircraft, along with San Diego lifeguards, immediately responded after nearby vessels reported seeing “a large splash” off Sunset Cliffs, San Diego Fire-Rescue spokesperson Candace Hadley said.
San Diego lifeguards were called off after it became clear the plane went down in water that is probably 200 feet deep or more, she said.
Records indicate the plane had been owned by a nutritional supplement company based in Pima, Ariz., a rural community about 160 miles east of Phoenix. A spokesperson for the company, Optimal Health Systems, said Monday it had sold the plane two years ago to “a group of private individuals,” although the plane remains ed to the company despite the transfer.
“We personally knew several of the engers onboard and our sincerest condolences are offered to those affected by the tragedy, all of whom are incredible of our small community,” the statement from Optimal Health reads. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones.”
No official information about the plane’s occupants has been released.
The chilling final minutes of the pilot’s communication with the air traffic controller indicated the plane was falling below safe levels, and the pilot itted he was struggling.
According to the conversation between the pilot and the air traffic controller, the plane was at about 1,000 feet when the controller advised the pilot to “climb and maintain 4,000 feet immediately.”
The pilot responded that he was trying.
“Are you doing OK there? Do you need assistance?” the controller asked.
“Affirm,” the pilot responded.
“Four Bravo Alpha, what seems to be the issue?” the controller asked.
“Ah, just struggling right now at the present trying to maintain (garbled) the setting,” the pilot responded.
A short while later, the controller advised the pilot to try to stay above 2,000 feet and found him an alternate landing destination.
“The closest airport I can get you to is North Island airport, which is off your left in 1 mile. Do you see that?” the controller asked.
“Negative,” the pilot replied.
The controller again told the pilot to go to North Island, which at that point the controller said was about 3 miles away.
The “mayday” transmission followed.
