A small plane crashed near a California lighthouse shortly after takeoff on Sunday. Three people killed in the US tragedy have since been identified. According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office statement, the deceased victims were: 60-year-old Steve Eugen Claterbuck, 36-year-old James Vincent and 44-year-old Jammie Lee Tabscott. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in turn, identified the plane as a twin-engine Beechcraft B-55 Baron.
The Coast Guard’s Monterey station was informed 10:55 pm Saturday that the Beechcraft crashed about 200 to 300 yards offshore. In news release Sunday, officials said the incident took place near the iconic Point Linos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove.
California plane crash victims were initially believed missing
A preliminary statement suggested that the Coast Guard was on the lookout for three mission people who were aboard the said aircrafts. In light of the incident connected to Beechcraft – with tail number N8796R, Station Monterey launched a 29-ft Response Boat-Small crew. Authorities arrived at the scene approximately 15 minutes after being alerted of the situation.
As mentioned in a follow-up update, the US Coast Guard informed that the Monterey Fire Boat 12 crew chanced upon one passenger, who was unresponsive, at 3:01 am Sunday morning (US time). Thereafter, the crew recovered the remaining two people between 6:31 am and 9:08 am, respectively. Unfortunately, both of them were also found unresponsive.
Flight tracking data from Flight Aware shows that the plane took off from the San Carlos Airport at 10:11 pm. Investigators found out that the small plane was headed to the Monterey Regional Airport. It was last seen near Monterey at 10:37 pm.
Plane crash debris washed ashore overnight; NTSB to take over investigation
Local reports coming in from ABC7 quoted a presumed eyewitness, Ron Beach, who told the outlet he and some others heard the plane “come around a second time really low.” As per his account, they last heard a thump, which prompted them to dart out of the house instantly. “There were 30 people on the beach who heard the same thing.”
After an overnight search for debris and the victims, post-accident video showed the Beechcraft’s wheel and parts ended washing ashore the nearby state beach on Sunday.
While it’s still a mystery as to what went down in the final moments right before the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board is heading the investigation. Issuing a statement to the local outlet, officials said an NTSB investigator will be on the scene on Monday.
Noting that they don’t facilitate recovery efforts, the case documentation will begin as soon as the aircraft has been recovered. As a result, the affected aircraft will also be examined.