BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Crews continue their search Tuesday morning for a twin-engine plane that reportedly crashed in the Brunswick area Monday evening.
According to the Federal Aviation Authority, the aircraft was a Piper PA-44 that crashed four miles east of Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, Brunswick, Georgia at 7:10 p.m. Monday.
The flight departed Concord, North Carolina and was destined for Jacksonville Exec. Airport/Craig Field near Jacksonville, Florida.
Two people were on board. We do not yet know their conditions.
Marty Moore lives in Brunswick near the crash site and heard the small plane crash behind his home.
"It was making a flip sound where you hear the exahaust go like a plane doing a roll. All of a sudden there was an explosion and I was like, 'what is that?'... we were really concerned about them and hopefully they'd be able to land and we immediately called 911," said Moore.
Coast Guard officials said boat and air crews are assisting the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in a search for survivors of a reported plane crash near Grant Creek on Mackay River, east of Golden Isles Aviation in St. Simons Island, Georgia.
"The civil air patrol started flying, it was about 30 minutes later, but they got out here and I was really happy to see them. The helicopters from the Coast Guard came over and they were out here before dark and were able to take a good look at things. Hope they'll be able to find the people and the wreckage and find it in tact. I don't think it's going to be in tact though," said Moore.
There was a report of a missing plane over the Brunswick area after it lost radio contact. According to the Coast Guard, two people were on board the plane at the time of the crash.
The plane is believed to belong to the ATP flight school in Jacksonville.
Crews have reported multiple debris fields consistent with a small plane crash, but have not found either of the two people reportedly on board the plane, officials said.
Debris has been found in the marsh near the Golden Isles airport, however officials said it is unconfirmed if the debris is wreckage from the plane.
The Coast Guard said the Glynn County Sheriff's Office is also assisting and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is leading the response.
Because of weather and tide conditions, authorities called off the search Monday night and will continue their search Tuesday morning.
"I'm hoping they'll be able to find them. FInd them alive, that would be a wonderful thing... You never know when your last moment is coming... It's a terrible situation and I feel sorry for the families and we're praying for them," said Moore.
The FAA is investigating the crash. The NTSB will determine probable cause.
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