Man Killed in Offshore Crash of Small Plane

At least one man was killed Sunday morning when a small plane flying out of Fullerton Municipal Airport crashed about 12 miles off the coast of Newport Beach, sending dozens of rescue workers searching for additional survivors in choppy waters halfway to Santa Catalina Island.

Late in the day officials said they believed the plane carried no passengers, although they were still trying to locate one other individual who might have been on board.

The six-seat Piper Aerostar had taken off from Fullerton at 9:15 a.m. An hour later the craft disappeared from radar screens, alarming air traffic controllers who attempted to establish radio contact, Federal Aviation Administration officials.

Shortly after 11 a.m., a Navy plane flying in the area spotted debris and a slick of oil floating in the ocean, prompting an extensive rescue effort. The body of a man believed to be the pilot was recovered from the scene and turned over to Los Angeles County coroner’s office Sunday night.

The private plane was owned by Walter Cecil, 44, of Placentia, according to aviation records. Officials had not released the identity of the body recovered by late Sunday.

Officials believe the plane’s pilot was putting in some practice when the accident took place.

Without a flight plan--which was not required--investigators did not know how many people were aboard the plane. About 50 rescue workers spent hours in helicopters and boats looking for survivors. The search was complicated by waves that reached four to five feet, said Lt. Cmdr. Charles Cashin, chief of operations for the Coast Guard in Long Beach.