2 planes crash in mid-air, plunge into ocean off Los Angeles

The planes collided at around 3.30 pm and apparently went into the water about two miles outside the harbour entrance, US Coast Guard and other officials said. It was unknown how many people were on board.

Two small planes collided in midair Friday and plunged into the ocean off of Los Angeles harbour. There was no immediate word of any survivors, authorities said.

Los Angeles County Fire helicopter crews land at Angels Gate Park as rescue boats continue to search for wreckage from two small planes that collided in mid-air and plunged into the ocean off of Los Angeles harbour. (AP)

The planes collided at around 3.30 pm and apparently went into the water about two miles outside the harbour entrance, US Coast Guard and other officials said. It was unknown how many people were on board.

Fire and lifeguard boats and rescue divers swarmed the area.

“They found both a partial tail number and then a second tail number,” Los Angeles County lifeguard Capt. Ken Haskett said.

As darkness fell, about two dozen divers were on call to scour the area but the planes may be at the bottom in up to 90 feet (30 metres) of water, Haskett said.

The crash site was a quarter-mile (0.5 kilometers) south of the Angels Gate light. The harbour entrance was closed to traffic while the search continued.