Audio Reveals Moments Before Plane Crash Off San Diego Coast

Tragedy Off San Diego Coast

A twin-engine Cessna 414 crashed into the Pacific Ocean just minutes after takeoff from San Diego International Airport on Sunday, killing all six people on board.

The aircraft, which had departed around 12:30 p.m. en route to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, went down approximately three miles west of Point Loma. According to the FAA, the plane crashed “under unknown circumstances” during its initial climb. Harrowing air traffic control audio captured the pilot’s final mayday call before radio contact was lost.

Eyewitnesses described the plane briefly emerging from cloud cover before sharply nosediving into the sea. “He went straight into the water… nose first, at high speed,” said one beachgoer.

The U.S. Coast Guard launched an extensive search and rescue operation, locating a debris field roughly five miles off the coast in waters about 200 feet deep. A Jayhawk helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, cutter, and rescue boats were dispatched but called off operations at dusk.

The FAA confirmed the aircraft had been registered to Optimal Health Systems, a nutritional supplement company based in Arizona. The company stated it had sold the aircraft last year and was no longer its owner. Founder Doug Grant said he personally knew several of the victims, offering condolences to their families.

The identities of those on board have not yet been released. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.