The U.S. Coast Guard launched a search-and-rescue helicopter on Wednesday after receiving reports of a “downed aircraft” off the coast of California. A search is underway for three people who were involved in the apparent crash.
“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,” USCG Southern California tweeted.
“U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, @USNavy and @USCustomsandBo1 aircrews have moved into active search efforts for three people after an aircraft debris field was located 1 mile SW of San Clemente Island,” the Guard said in a follow-up tweet.
The downed aircraft was contracted by the Navy, a Navy spokesperson told FOX 5.
Last month, the Coast Guard ultimately ended its search for three American sailors who had been missing at sea for nearly two weeks at the time, last heard from near the Mexican city of Mazatlán. The service searched for over 280 hours across 200,000 square nautical miles.
The Coast Guard assisted the Mexican Navy’s search for Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien, and William Gross, who reportedly left Mazatlán on their boat April 4 and were never heard from again, according to a press release.
“This is a reminder for mariners of the importance of providing a person ashore with your float plan which in this case allowed the U.S Coast Guard to be notified when the missing sailors did not check in with family,” the Guard said in a news release.
“It also underscores the importance of carrying a registered 406MHZ electronic position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) for automatic notification in emergencies.”
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
