2 small planes collide over ocean off S California coast

Two small planes collided Monday off the coast of Southern California, and crews were searching the debris fields for survivors, Federal Aviation Administration officials said.

Two small planes collided Monday off the coast of Southern California, and crews were searching the debris fields for survivors, Federal Aviation Administration officials said.

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Coast Guard Lt junior grade Stephanie Young said two debris fields - one with a plane's nose wheel - were spotted five miles (eight kilometers) south of the Long Beach breakwater. FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said a pilot reported seeing the collision about 5:45 p.m and asked the Coast Guard to begin searching.

One of the planes was a Cessna 172 and departed from Long Beach, Gregor said. No information was available about the other one. It was not clear how many people were aboard either plane.

The Coast Guard dispatched a rescue boat, a patrol boat and an HH-65C Dolphin helicopter to the site.