Los Angeles

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Possible Downed Aircraft Near Redondo Beach Harbor

A search for a possible downed aircraft near Redondo Beach Harbor was suspended Saturday around 4 p.m., the Coast Guard said.

"Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach received an emergency notification for assistance at 11:45 a.m., coming from an aircraft’s emergency location transmitter beacon," read a statement from the Coast Guard.

Then several witnesses reported they saw an oil sheen on the water near the entrance to the Redondo Beach Harbor, the statement read.

"The Coast Guard picked up an emergency location transmitter (ELT) signal a couple of miles off Redondo Beach," said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the FAA. "We have no reports of missing aircraft or witness reports of an aircraft crash. Boats also have ELTs, so I don't know if the signal is from a boat or an aircraft."

The Coast Guard said they initiated a search with a helicopter and a boat about two miles north of the harbor, and noted Baywatch Redondo and Los Angeles County fire officials were assisting.

The search was suspended around 4:10 p.m. after a Coast Guard helicopter air crew and boat crew successfully completed multiple search patterns in the area with no signs of any aircraft in distress. 

Anyone with information was urged to call the Coast Guard at 310-521-3805.

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