Plane Plunges Into Ocean; Surfer Saves Crash Victim

A surfer swam out to the site of a small-plane crash Tuesday, rescuing a seriously injured survivor in the waters off San Onofre State Beach.

A second person died in the crash and rescue officials said there may have been a third person aboard who is still missing.

Witnesses told police that about 3:15 p.m., the Cessna--a four-seat propeller-driven plane--glided toward the water about 600 yards from the beach in north San Diego County, as if it were landing. When the plane touched the water, it flipped and quickly submerged.

Federal officials are investigating. They would not release the names of anyone on board. The plane was heading from McClellan-Palomar Airport near Carlsbad to Hawthorne Airport, officials from the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The pilot had radioed air traffic controllers shortly before the crash that the plane was having engine trouble, according to U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Eric Carter.

David Kremers, a surfer from Pasadena on the beach when the plane went down, put on his wetsuit and swam to the crash site after he saw the tail sink. A San Diego County police helicopter arrived while he was swimming, and officers used the helicopter’s public address system to guide Kremers to the survivor. The helicopter dropped a buoy, and Kremers propped up the head of the victim, described as being in his 30s.

“I told him to relax and keep his head above the water,” said Kremers, 41. “I put his arms over the buoy to keep him afloat.”

Kremers was joined a few minutes later by lifeguard Melissa Borio. She said the victim was barely conscious, but seemed to say there were two other people on board.

The water temperature was estimated at 60 degrees.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter then joined the rescue and lowered a rescue basket. The victim was airlifted to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, where he was in critical condition and suffering from hypothermia Tuesday evening.

Soon after the first victim was airlifted out, police boats from Oceanside spotted a body in the water. The woman, in her early 30s, was dead when police arrived.

The Coast Guard continued searching with helicopters, boats and divers, but found no one. By about 6:30 p.m., the Coast Guard had stopped for the night. “We’re still trying to find out how many people were on the plane,” said Petty Officer John Wright, who said the search will continue today.