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Serafin Gomez

Miami, FL

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Cessna Plane, Carrying 5, Crashes in Gulf

July 8, 2009 - 5:54 PM | by: Serafin Gomez

UDPATE @ 7/9 

Per the Coast Guard- Based on the catastrophic nature of the crash, the Coast Guard ended its search efforts at 3 p.m. Thursday for five people aboard an aircraft that crashed in the Gulf of Mexico around 3 p.m.Wednesday, 20-miles west of Port Richey.

The Coast Guard immediately launched several assets to search the area and discovered a two-mile-wide debris field. During the extensive search, Coast Guard crewmembers recovered plane wreckage and human remains.

"We would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the families of those involved in the crash," said Capt. Timothy M. Close, Commander of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg.

 

UPDATE @ 1008 PM EDT..CLEARWATER BEACH, Fl-  Only wreckage has been found, but still no passengers, according to FOX 13. The Coast Guard is continuing to search for the 5 people on the crashed Cessna, and now is including 2 Jayhawk helicopters, along with the search boats to look for the  downed twin engine Texas plane. Coast Guard is talking to family members of those missing but authorities have yet to release any names.

 

CLEARWATER BEACH, Fl- Coast Guard rescue teams are currently searching for 5 people aboard a small plane that crashed into the Gulf of Mexico, 20 miles off the coast of Port Richey, Florida. Around 2pm EDT, air-traffic controllers lost radio and radar with the aircraft following a report that the plane had encountered turbulence, according to the FAA. The plane had reportedly departed from McKinney, TX.The Coast Guard have mobilized rescue boats, and a Jayhawk rescue helicopter to conduct their search and recovery operations. The identities of the missing people are currently unknown, according to authorities.

with reporting from FNC producer Kathleen Reuschle

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