Rescuers search for pilot after planes collide over San Francisco Bay
The search continued Monday for the pilot of one of two small planes that collided over a northern area of San Francisco Bay, sending one crashing into the water, according to the Coast Guard.
The collision involved a Cessna 210 and a Hawker Sea Fury TMK 20, which collided over San Pablo Bay about 4:05 p.m. Sunday, said Ian Gregor, public affairs manager for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor owner Eric Johnson told NBC Bay Area that his wife came running when the crash occurred about three miles offshore.
The Cessna, according to his wife, “lost a wing and spiraled into the water and hit hard,” Johnson said.
The Hawker landed safely at a Northern California airport and its pilot was reportedly not injured, Gregor said. The Coast Guard, meanwhile, launched four rescue boats and a helicopter to search the waters, said Coast Guard spokeswoman Loumania Stewart.
Rescuers had located the debris, but as of Monday morning, there were no signs of the pilot, officials said.
Both planes departed from Half Moon Bay Airport, Gregor said. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the two planes were at the Pacific Coast Dream Machines event in Half Moon Bay, an annual festival including a variety of planes, motorcycles and other vehicles.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident.
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