Pilot Presumed Dead In Ocean City Plane Crash

OCEAN CITY, Md. (WJZ) -- A plane plunges right into the water along a packed Ocean City beach.

Jessica Kartalija has the latest on rescue and recovery efforts.

The search for survivors is called off, as rough conditions make it dangerous for emergency crews.

Beachgoers watch as a small plane spirals downward, splashing into the water in Ocean City.

"Everyone was standing up and looking around. And we heard some reports that it was a plane that had spiraled down into the ocean," said Sara Shultz, witness.

The pilot of the single engine plane is presumed dead. It is still unclear if anyone else was on board.

"Everyone on the beach immediately got up and was standing up and looking out to the water," Shultz told WJZ.

Maryland State Police underwater recovery team divers believe they have located the debris field, but dangerous conditions off shore halted recovery efforts.

The plane took off from the Ocean City Municipal Airport then crashed around 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon--about 500 yards off shore at 133rd Street.

Witnesses tell police the plane began spinning out of control before plunging into the water.

State police divers plan to resume the search Monday morning--if conditions permit.

This type of aircraft carries a maximum of a pilot and one passenger in front and rear seats.