Incident Overview

A tragic accident occurred over the weekend when a small aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean near the central California coast, resulting in the deaths of all three individuals on board. The incident took place just before 11 p.m. on Saturday, as emergency crews responded to reports of a twin-engine Beechcraft going down approximately 300 yards off Point Pinos in Monterey County. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) confirmed the details of the crash.

Victims Identified

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Unit has identified the victims as Steve Eugene Clatterbuck, 60, from Salinas; James Vincent, 36, from Monterey; and Jamie Lee Tabscott, 44, also from Monterey. These individuals were aboard the Beechcraft B-95-B55 aircraft that had departed from San Carlos airport at 10:11 p.m., with its last known position recorded near Monterey at 10:36 p.m., according to FlightAware.com.

Eyewitness Accounts and Search Efforts

An eyewitness reported to AIO Filmz that he heard the plane circling at a low altitude for about 30 seconds before a “thump” was heard. Video footage captured at the scene showed debris scattered along the shoreline. In response, Coast Guard boat and helicopter crews, along with local law enforcement and fire agencies, initiated a search operation that spanned 13 hours and covered 346 miles of trackline over an area of approximately 100 square miles.

Recovery and Investigation

The first body was recovered by a fire boat crew shortly after 3 a.m. on Sunday. Divers later found the remaining two victims inside the aircraft’s fuselage between 6:30 a.m. and 9:10 a.m. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating to determine the cause of this tragic crash.

Community Support and Privacy Request

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office conveyed that the families of the deceased have requested privacy during this difficult time. They also expressed gratitude for the community’s support during this period of mourning.