

MIAMI — Two people are confirmed dead as Coast Guard and partner agency rescue crews continue to search for possible survivors of a plane crash approximately three miles off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

At approximately 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, watchstanders at the Coast Guard 7th District command center received a report of a possible plane crash off the Coast of Fort Lauderdale from the Federal Aviation Administration. Search and rescue crews from Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale and Coast Guard Air Station Miami were immediately dispatched to begin the search for the aircraft and possible survivors. The Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark and a Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue boatcrew were also launched to assist.

Currently searching are:

Two Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale boat crews

One Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew

Coast Guard Cutter Gannet

Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark

Three Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission search and rescue crews

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue boatcrew

A boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale has located a debris field two miles northeast of Fort Lauderdale Airport.

The plane was reportedly a Learjet and departed from Fort Lauderdale International Airport and was en route to Cozumel, Mexico with four people aboard including two pilots.

For safety reasons, boaters are asked to avoid the area if possible and to report any wreckage found to the Coast Guard via VHF marine channel 16 or by contacting local 911 emergency officials.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.

Click the photo for an additional photo of the wreckage.