Full Notification

On Sunday, February 07, 2016 at approximately 2:00 p.m., members of the Special Enforcement Bureau – Tactical Dive Team with the assistance of the Los Angeles Port Police, the Long Beach Police Department and L.A. County Lifeguards, recovered wreckage of one plane and remains of two victims.  The recovery was made approximately two miles outside the Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports in the Los Angeles County water.

A surface area search was conducted throughout the day on Sunday by Sheriff’s Department Air Rescue 5 personnel and numerous Sheriff’s Department boats.  The search efforts were primarily underwater operations, utilizing three different types of sonar devices to search the ocean floor for wreckage.  Remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) were also deployed, along with divers.  During this remote search, wreckage of one plane and two victims were located in 105 feet deep water.

It is believed two aircrafts were involved in a mid-air collision, though this cannot be confirmed until further investigation has been completed. 

The search effort was concluded for today and will resume tomorrow morning.  

The identity of the victims is unknown at this time.  The two victims will be identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner – Coroner personnel.  The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner – Coroner will be handling any inquiries regarding the identity of the victims’ remain.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Enforcement at (323) 881-7800. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Written By:

Jack Ewell, Captain

Special Enforcement Bureau (High-Risk Tactical / Rescue Teams)

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department:

Website: http://www.SEB.lasd.org

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Forwarded By:

Sara Rodriguez, Deputy

Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 

Hall of Justice - First floor  

211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-229-1700

Original Press Release is as Follows:

DATE:  Friday, February 05, 2016

LOCATION:  2 Miles Outside of Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach

On February 5, 2016, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Enforcement Bureau, Emergency Services Detail (ESD), responded to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, to assist the United States Coast Guard with search and rescue operations for a downed aircraft.

On Saturday, February 06, 2016, at approximately 9:15 a.m., the Coast Guard suspended active search efforts regarding the downed aircraft.

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Emergency Services Detail personnel assumed the lead in this incident, and are continuing to search for plane wreckage and occupants of the small plane crash.  ESD personnel are working closely with the United States Coast Guard and are being supported by the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguards and the Los Angeles Port Police.

A surface area search was conducted throughout the day by Coast Guard aircraft, Sheriff’s Department Air Rescue 5 and numerous Sheriff’s Department boats.  ESD personnel’s search efforts are now primarily underwater operations.  They are utilizing three different types of sonar devices to search the ocean floor for wreckage.  Remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) are being deployed, along with ESD divers.  Because water conditions are fair, with 4 to 6 foot swells, the depths being searched are in the 90 to 100 foot range.

The underwater searches are taking place in the areas where debris or oil sheen were located yesterday.  Federal Aviation Administration radar records are being examined to assist in determining areas to be searched. 

It is believed that two aircrafts were involved in a mid-air collision, though this cannot be confirmed until wreckage is located.  No debris or remains have been found today. 

Search efforts are continuing.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Enforcement at (323) 881-7800.  If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Forwarded by:

Ryan Rouzan, Deputy

Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 

Hall of Justice - First floor  

211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-229-1700
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Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department