Search underway for survivors of military aircraft collision off Southern California coast

The Coast Guard confirmed to reporters in San Diego tonight that a crash occurred between two aircraft -- possibly a Coast Guard C-130 transport airplane and a Marine AH-1 Cobra helicopter -- and said that rescue crews have spotted debris in the water.

Rescue units from the Coast Guard and Navy have responded to the crash site to search for survivors. The airplane was reported to contain seven crew members, while the helicopter contained two. No survivors have yet been spotted. Three Coast Guard cutters and four Navy ships, along with several helicopters, are involved in the search.

A Coast Guard spokesman said that search conditions were good with calm waters and light winds. The spokesman described the aircraft as a Coast Guard airplane and a Department of Defense aircraft. Federal Aviation Administration officials have identified the aircraft as a C-130 and a Cobra helicopter.

The collision is thought to have occurred 15 to 25 miles off San Clemente Island, the FAA said.

Ian Gregor, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman, said that a pilot reported seeing a fireball about 7:10 p.m. near the suspected crash site. Earlier reports stated that a single Navy helicopter may have crashed.

-- Robert J. Lopez

Comments

[Asianowl]

So sad. I don't know how two airplanes can collide in such a big sky?

[Tomaconda]

its fairly easy to engage traffic in the sky, theres no set lanes, directions, or speed limit.

The real question is how they collided when equipped with state of the art navigation systems, radar, and ground control, its the military for heaven's sake!