Coast Guard Responds to Fatal Plane Crash Off Florida

Wreckage of the plane that crashed off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is brought aboard a Coast Guard vessel.

Two people are confirmed dead as U.S. Coast Guard and partner agency rescue crews continue to search for possible survivors of a plane crash approximately three miles off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

At approximately 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, watchstanders at the Coast Guard 7th District command center received a report of a possible plane crash off the Coast of Fort Lauderdale from the Federal Aviation Administration.  Search and rescue crews from Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale and Coast Guard Air Station Miami were immediately dispatched to begin the search for the aircraft and possible survivors.  The Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark and a Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue boatcrew were also launched to assist.

A boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale located a debris field approximately two miles northeast of Fort Lauderdale International Airport. 

Currently searching are:

Two Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale boat crews
One Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew
Coast Guard Cutter Gannet
Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark
Three Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission search and rescue crews
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue boatcrew

The plane was reportedly a Learjet and departed from Fort Lauderdale International Airport and was en route to Cozumel, Mexico with four people aboard including two pilots. 

For safety reasons, boaters are asked to avoid the area if possible and to report any wreckage found to the Coast Guard via VHF marine channel 16 or by contacting local 911 emergency officials. 

The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.