Small Plane Reported to Have Crashed Into Sea
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A private, twin-engine plane apparently crashed into the ocean near Los Angeles International Airport Friday night after the pilot radioed that he was having trouble with his landing gear, officials said.
The pilot of the Cessna 310 radioed that he was experiencing problems as he approached the airport at 9:07 p.m., according to Bruce Nelson, a Federal Aviation Administration duty officer.
Nelson said the pilot decided to abort his initial landing attempt and loop around for a second try. The plane disappeared from radar screens and controllers were unable to re-contact the pilot by radio.
A man camping at Dockweiler Beach State Park told lifeguards he saw a plane crash into the water a few hundred yards offshore. A search was launched with boats and helicopters.
The Coast Guard reported that pieces of wreckage were found floating on the water about half a mile off the beach.
The pilot was believed to be the only person aboard.
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