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Nine missing after US air crash Nine missing after US air crash
(about 5 hours later)
A search is under way for nine people missing after a US Coast Guard plane and a military helicopter crashed off the coast of southern California.A search is under way for nine people missing after a US Coast Guard plane and a military helicopter crashed off the coast of southern California.
The collision is believed to have happened 16 miles (27km) east of the US Navy-owned San Clemente Island.The collision is believed to have happened 16 miles (27km) east of the US Navy-owned San Clemente Island.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesman said a pilot reported seeing a fireball near the area.A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesman said a pilot reported seeing a fireball near the area.
The plane - reported to be a C-130 aircraft - is believed to have had seven people on board. The Marine Corps said the helicopter was an AH-1 Super Cobra attack aircraft with seven people on board.
The Marine Corps said the other aircraft was an AH-1 Super Cobra attack helicopter. The plane - a C-130 aircraft - is believed to have had two people on board.
Coast Guard spokeswoman Allyson Conroy said the crash happened on Thursday at about 1910 local time (0210 GMT, Friday).Coast Guard spokeswoman Allyson Conroy said the crash happened on Thursday at about 1910 local time (0210 GMT, Friday).
'Survival training''Survival training'
Cpl Michael Stevens, a spokesman for the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, said the helicopter and its crew belonged to Marine Aircraft Group 39, stationed at Camp Pendleton and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Miramar.Cpl Michael Stevens, a spokesman for the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, said the helicopter and its crew belonged to Marine Aircraft Group 39, stationed at Camp Pendleton and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Miramar.
The plane and its crew belong to Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento.The plane and its crew belong to Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento.
A number of helicopters and navy vessels are being used in the search.A number of helicopters and navy vessels are being used in the search.
FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the coast guard had reported seeing debris from a C-130.FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the coast guard had reported seeing debris from a C-130.
Lt Josh Nelson from the Coast Guard said all those who would have been on the plane and helicopter would have had survival training. Petty Officer Henry Dunphy said that the plane contained survival gear.
"We are throwing everything we can at this right now," he said. He said: "We're hoping to find survivors. We're not ruling that out."
San Clemente Island, which is owned by the US Navy and is used for training purposes, is 68 nautical miles west of San Diego.San Clemente Island, which is owned by the US Navy and is used for training purposes, is 68 nautical miles west of San Diego.
Meanwhile the Coast Guard said it was suspending its separate search for two Navy pilots whose plane had gone missing along the central Texas coast. Meanwhile the Coast Guard resumed a separate search for two Navy pilots whose plane had gone missing along the central Texas coast.
Contact was lost with the single-engine Navy T-34 training plane on Wednesday.Contact was lost with the single-engine Navy T-34 training plane on Wednesday.
Its last known location was close to San Jose Island, two miles (3.2km) off the Gulf of Mexico.Its last known location was close to San Jose Island, two miles (3.2km) off the Gulf of Mexico.
The search is expected to resume once the stormy weather has cleared up. The search was postponed on Thursday because of stormy weather.