Search Underway After Cessna 414 Crashes Off Point Loma

POINT LOMA, CA — A search is underway for six people aboard a Cessna 414 that crashed into the water off Point Loma on Sunday. The U.S. Coast Guard reported the incident occurred around 12:50 p.m. PDT, about three miles west of the coastline.

The twin-engine plane was en route to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport when it went down shortly after taking off from San Diego International Airport. The aircraft, owned by Optimal Health Systems, a nutritional supplement business from Pima, Arizona, had not been located when rescue efforts began.

Coast Guard rescue teams, along with harbor police and lifeguards, have been deployed to search for survivors. Petty Officer Ryan Graves stated, “A debris field has been located, but I do not currently have the size of it.” The water depth at the site measures approximately 200 feet.

Witness Tyson Wislofsky, who was surfing nearby, recounted the event, saying, “I saw him come down at an angle…the next time he came out of the clouds, he went straight into the water.” He described a splash followed by silence, indicating the crash was severe.

The aircraft registered to Optimal Health Systems is a 1970 Cessna 414, which has a capacity for seven seats. Efforts to reach the company for more information on the occupants have not yet yielded a response. The Coast Guard’s search includes three boats and a helicopter.

Jim Kidrick, president of the Air and Space Museum, remarked on the aircraft’s capabilities, noting that it could fly on one engine if necessary. “The plane’s final moments in the air could bring out the truth about the cause of the crash,” he suggested.

The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation into the incident. Officials found an oil sheen and debris in the water, suggesting possible complications before the crash occurred. The search operations are expected to continue through the night.