Two Off-Duty OCPD Personnel Were In Crashed Plane, Reliable Sources Indicate

Editors Note: The information below is what is being reported by The Dispatch on their facebook page


LATEST UPDATE: Two Off-Duty OCPD Personnel Were In Crashed Plane, Reliable Sources Indicate
Steve Green
Editor
Two off-duty members of the Ocean City Police Department have been identified as the pilot and passenger in the two-seat Nanchang CJ-6A that took off from the Ocean City Municipal Airport today and crashed into the ocean off 130th Street. Although there has been no official word from the OCPD, six knowledgeable sources have confirmed this information to this reporter. No names will be released at this time.

The following is a timeline of posts throughout the day:
UPDATE: Authorities Call Off Work For Night, TO Resume Recovery Effort In Morning
OCEAN CITY -- Authorities believe they may have found the remains of the plane that crashed off the coast of Ocean City around 4 this afternoon. 
Through the use of radar and sonar, agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Maryland State Police, the Ocean City Fire Department and others, have reported their belief they have located the aircraft, which has been identified as a Nanchang CJ-6A, which was designed and built in China.
The plane took off from the Ocean City Municipal Airport in West Ocean City earlier today and crashed at approximately 4 p.m. about 500 yards offshore of 130th Street in Ocean City. Witnesses reported seeing the plane perform stunts before spiraling out of control into the ocean. Witnesses said the pilot was flying at a high altitude before moving into some sort of acrobatic move. At some point, the plane continued to plummet at an incredible speed and crashed into the ocean, followed by a loud boom, according to eyewitnesses.
Divers from the Ocean City Fire Department were dispatched to the site aboard a Coast Guard vessel, but it’s unclear if they ever actually went into the water.
Shortly before nightfall, it was reported to media on the scene that authorities believe the aircraft has been located through radar and sonar off 131st Street, but they can’t confirm it because it was too dangerous to send divers down at that time due to rough ocean conditions and the limited visibility due to darkness.
Officials are expected to continue the operation in the morning, and the plane will likely be towed ashore once it’s located and confirmed if its condition allows it to be recovered and towed.
The identity of the pilot is a matter of much speculation at the moment as is if there was more than one occupant in the plane, and airport officials are hesitant to release any information about departure logs at this time. 
OFFICIAL RELEASE: Coast Guard, locals search after plane crash near Ocean City
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard, Maryland State Police and Ocean City Fire Department are searching after a plane crashed into the water near Ocean City.
A good Samaritan aboard the pleasure craft Sea Rocket contacted Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders at approximately 4 p.m. reporting the plane crashed approximately 500 yards offshore of 130th Street in Ocean City.
Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and dispatched crews aboard a 25-foot Response Boat - Small and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Coast Guard Station Ocean City to assist. A Maryland State Police helicopter is also assisting in the search, and the Coast Guard MLB has divers from the Ocean City Fire Department aboard.
The plane is reported to be a CJ-6A and took off from the Ocean City Municipal Airport.
The plane reportedly sank shortly after crashing into the water.
UPDATE: Sea Rocket Captain and owner Graham Bostic just reported to The Dispatch minutes ago that he was on his boat with customers when the plane crash took place today off the coast of Ocean City. Bostic said the crash occurred about a half mile from where the Sea Rocket was at the time near 130th Street. He said there were no rescues to be made at that time and that he traveled to the scene to "mark the spot" so authorities knew where the plane entered the water.
EARLIER UPDATE: Ocean Aerials, the banner plane company that operates out of Berlin's Bunting Airport, confirmed to The Dispatch via telephone just now that today's plane crash off 130th Street did not involve a banner plane, as the airport was closed today due to the weather. Witnesses on the beach reported seeing the plane flying overhead, then spiraling out of control toward the water and reported hearing a boom shortly after it crashed into the water. The OC Dive Team has reportedly been dispatched, as the pilot and any passengers have not reportedly surfaced. A State Police helicopter is also on site.
UPDATE: Eyewitnesses are reporting to The Dispatch the plane that crashed at approximately 4 p.m. off the coast of Ocean City off 130th Street was a private plane and not a banner plane that carries advertiser messages. Witnesses on the beach reported seeing the plane flying overhead, then spiraling out of control toward the water and reported hearing a boom shortly after it crashed into the water. The OC Dive Team has reportedly been dispatched, as the pilot and any passengers have not reportedly surfaced. A State Police helicopter is also on site.
ORIGINAL POST AT 4:22 P.M.: Confirmed Plane Crash In Ocean Off 130th Street
A plane has crashed in the ocean about 500 yards off the beach on 130th Street. Eyewitnesses report the Sea Rocket was first on the scene and has reported the plane has sunk. Coast Guard and first responders are now on the scene, and the Maryland State Police Aviation Unit is hovering overhead. More details will be reported when available. There are conflicting reports on the exact type of plane and we cannot confirm whether it was a banner plane or not at this time.