California, United States: On Saturday, a late-night small plane crash off the California coast has claimed three lives, triggering a multi-agency recovery operation and a federal investigation into the cause of the accident.
Authorities said the twin-engine Beechcraft 95‑B55 Baron went down Saturday night, about 200 to 300 yards off Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, Monterey County. The aircraft, which had taken off from San Carlos Airport around 10:11 p.m., disappeared from radar approximately 26 minutes later.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene following multiple calls reporting a low-flying aircraft and an explosion near the shoreline. Responders from the U.S. Coast Guard, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Pacific Grove Police Department, CAL FIRE, and local fire agencies launched an overnight search and rescue mission amid challenging surf conditions and poor visibility.
The first body was pulled from the water around 3:00 a.m. Sunday. By mid-morning, divers located the aircraft wreckage submerged offshore and recovered the remaining two occupants. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials later identified the victims as Steve Eugene Clatterbuck, 60, of Salinas; James Vincent, 36, of Monterey; and Jamie Lee Tabscott, 44, also of Monterey. The group had reportedly been on a short private flight when the incident occurred.
Debris from the crash, including luggage and seat components, washed ashore near Asilomar State Beach, forcing authorities to temporarily restrict public access to portions of the coastline.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation. Initial reports indicate no distress calls were made before the crash, and weather conditions at the time were reported as generally clear with light coastal winds.
Investigators are examining mechanical records of the aircraft, pilot qualifications, and potential environmental factors. Witnesses described seeing the plane descending rapidly before hitting the water, followed by an explosion-like flash.
Pacific Grove residents noted the crash site’s proximity to where singer John Denver lost his life in a plane accident in 1997, a somber reminder for a community long familiar with aviation tragedies.
Local officials expressed condolences to the families of the victims. “This is a heartbreaking event for Monterey County,” said a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office. “We appreciate the coordinated response of all agencies involved in recovering the victims and securing the area.”
Further details on the flight’s purpose and ownership of the aircraft have not been disclosed. The NTSB stated it would release a preliminary report within two weeks, with a final determination on the cause expected after several months of analysis.
