Federal investigators said today they believe two small aircraft involved in a midair collision over the Pacific Ocean departed from Long Beach Airport, but they have not confirmed the number of passengers aboard.
The search for victims and clues continued today, with a security zone established around two debris fields, authorities said.
The collision was reported by the pilot of a third aircraft, who told authorities he saw the crash at about 5:45 p.m. Monday, roughly five miles south of Long Beach Harbor, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Gregor said one of the planes was believed to be a four-seat, single-engine Cessna 172, and the other a twin-engine Cessna 310, which can carry six people.
The U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement this morning that one of the aircraft was believed to be occupied by a student and instructor pilots, but Gregor could not confirm that.
Further Information at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/05/midair-collision.html