Pilot Missing After Two Planes Collide Over Bay Near San Francisco

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski

RICHMOND, Calif. (AP) — The Coast Guard searched for a pilot in the northern part of San Francisco Bay on Sunday after two small planes collided over the water and only one of the aircraft landed safely, authorities said.

Debris was spotted in San Pablo Bay after the 4:05 p.m. collision near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, Petty Officer Loumania Stewart said.

The collision involved a single-engine Cessna 210 and a single-engine Hawker Sea Fury TMK 20, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said. Each aircraft had one person on board.

The Cessna crashed into the water and the pilot of the Hawker was able to land safely at Eagle's Nest Airport in the small Northern California city of Ione, Gregor said. The pilot was reportedly uninjured.

Gregor said both planes took off from Half Moon Bay Airport, roughly 20 miles south of San Francisco.

FAA records indicate the Hawker is registered to Sanders Aeronautics Inc. in Ione. A man who answered the phone at the company's listed number declined to comment.

Sanders Aeronautics' website said the family-run company specializes in aircraft restoration and that its family members are avid air racers.

A Coast Guard cutter, three rescue boats and a helicopter were involved in the search, Stewart said.