The FAA says a small plane crashed into the Moriches Inlet on Long Island Saturday afternoon, killing two people on board.
Rescue and recovery efforts continue hours after witnesses reported seeing a low flying plane, hearing a sputtering engine, and then saw the plane go down into the water.
"When it hit Moriches Inlet it flew up and twisted and then it went straight down," said John a fisherman at the scene.
John was catching them along Moriches Inlet when he saw the small aircraft crash just after 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.
"You could see he (the pilot) was in panic mode because the engine was sputtering."
By the time authorities arrived on scene bystanders near the shore had already tied a rope onto the boat in an effort to secure it.
But the rope could not stop the plane from sinking some 30 feet underwater according to police.
"We did find the plane submerged with reports of two souls on board," said Chief Robert Ubaldo, Mastic Fire Department.
As day turned to night teams of divers continued their attempt to navigate the cold and rough waters to locate the victims.
"Even on a calm day these waters are rough, the wind, even anchoring a boat to dive to can be tough," said Deputy Inspector Chris Hatton, Suffolk County PD.
The FAA says the plane was a Globe Swift, a light, two-seater aircraft.
Late this evening, a crane was brought in which officials will eventually use to pull it from the water.
"It's just a sad thing, just a beautiful day for something so tragic to happen," added John.
The FAA says the plane took off from Spadaro Airport in East Moriches just miles from where it crashed.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:14 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:14:07 GMT
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:40 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:40:30 GMT
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York.
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York, according to the head of the Nassau County Off-Track Betting Corp. and a legislative bill.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 3:59 PM EDT2013-05-14 19:59:22 GMT
USDA photo
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island.
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island, according to state agriculture officials.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to freeze Long Islanders' energy rates for three years as part of a proposal to end operating control of the Long Island Power Authority.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to freeze Long Islanders' energy rates for three years as part of a proposal to end operating control of the Long Island Power Authority.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:57 AM EDT2013-05-13 10:57:44 GMT
Students and staff at Baldwin High School on Long Island are seeing tighter security at the school on Monday following a threatening message found scrawled inside the building.
Students and staff at Baldwin High School on Long Island are seeing tighter security at the school on Monday following a threatening message found scrawled inside the building. Investigators won't say was said in the message discovered over the weekend.
Sunday, May 12 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-13 00:33:35 GMT
On this Mother's Day, a mom on Long Island knew something was wrong when she saw another mother in need. A mother riding home to Dix Hills after a Mother's Day dinner became an animal rescue worker.
On this Mother's Day, a mom on Long Island knew something was wrong when she saw another mother in need. A mother riding home to Dix Hills after a Mother's Day dinner became an animal rescue worker.
