The body of a woman was discovered in the waters off the California coast on Monday, a day after a single-engine plane crashed nearby. Commercial fishermen made the grim discovery, which has been connected to the Sunday evening crash in Half Moon Bay, near San Francisco, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. The woman, whose identity has not yet been revealed, was found dead.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that there was another person on board the Cozy Mark IV, a four-seat light aircraft that can be assembled from a kit. Despite search efforts, no survivors have been found, with search crews recovering pieces of the plane near Half Moon Bay. The U.S. Coast Guard, which was involved in the search operation, has now suspended its efforts.
“It’s never easy to make the decision to suspend search efforts, and our deepest sympathies go out to the families involved in this incident,” said Ian McGoohan, operations unit controller at the Sector San Francisco Command Center.
The crash was reported by a 911 caller who described the plane as being in distress, flying erratically, and descending towards the water near Half Moon Bay. The San Mateo Sheriff’s Office deployed a drone and a Coast Guard diver to aid in the search. The drone’s video feed eventually revealed the overturned plane near Ross Cove, approximately 25 miles south of San Francisco.
While it is known that the plane originated from the East Bay, the specific airport it departed from has not been disclosed. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have initiated an investigation into the crash.
The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with aviation accidents, highlighting the need for continued efforts to enhance safety measures. The families of those involved in the crash are undoubtedly devastated by the loss, and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
