Local outlets are confirming that two aircraft have collided about five miles south of Long Beach over the Pacific Ocean, after authorities discovered landing gear and other equipment in the water. Apparently, a third pilot witnessed the accident and called it in. From LA Times reporter Louis Sahagun:
The collision occurred in mid-air at 5:45 p.m., roughly five miles south of Long Beach Harbor. U.S. Coast Guard and Long Beach Fire Department vessels were dispatched to the scene to search for possible survivors.
“We know from the landing gear that at least one of them was a small plane,” said Jackawa Jackson, a spokesman for the Long Beach Fire Department. “We’ve got seagoing companies including two large fire boats and a Coast Guard vessel searching a fairly large area right now.”
“We have no confirmation of victims,” he added.
Jackson said the Long Beach fire authorities received a report of the collision about 6:10 p.m. Less than an hour later, “a Long Beach fireboat came upon the landing gear and more debris in the water,” he said.
No details yet on what kind of aircraft were involved, or how many people were on board. Even when the location of the accident can be narrowed down, it’s still incredibly difficult to see and find debris, particularly at night. Sahagun’s report confirms that at least one of the planes was a small craft – not surprising considering the number of single-engined planes that leave Long Beach Airport every day. No passengers have been found at this point.
KCAL9 is reporting that the area is known to pilots as a popular practice site. Fire Department Captain Jackawa Jackson said there was no evidence of a fire, and described the collision as a “disintegration.”
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor