Three men died Saturday night, July 26, when their small plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Pacific Grove, California. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims as Steve Eugene Clatterbuck, 60, of Salinas; James Vincent, 36, of Monterey; and Jamie Lee Tabscott, 44, of Monterey.
The twin-engine Beechcraft B-55 Baron departed from San Carlos Airport at approximately 10:07 p.m., heading to Monterey Regional Airport. The aircraft crashed into the ocean around 10:38 p.m., approximately 200 to 300 yards off Point Pinos near Sunset Drive and Jewell Avenue.
Witnesses reported hearing the aircraft engine loudly revving before a loud splash in the water. Ron Beach, who was nearby, indicated that he “heard it come around a second time really low. Last thing we heard was a thump.” Brian Mitchell, visiting from Sacramento, described hearing loud engine grumbling that sounded like it was over his house, followed by a pop.
Emergency responders were alerted at 10:37 p.m. following a lost radar alert and 911 calls from nearby residents. The Coast Guard Station Monterey dispatched a 29-foot response boat which arrived at the crash site within 15 minutes. An Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew also joined the search effort.
The search and recovery operation involved multiple agencies, including the Monterey Fire Department, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Pacific Grove Police, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire. About 100 square miles were covered during the search, which lasted approximately 13 hours.
At 3:08 a.m. Sunday, the Monterey Fire Boat 12 located the first victim unresponsive in the water. By early morning, the fuselage was discovered using a Cal Fire drone just before 6 a.m. Commercial divers recovered the first body from the fuselage at approximately 6:30 a.m. and the second by 9:08 a.m.
Aircraft debris, including the plane’s wheel and parts, washed ashore at the nearby state beach Sunday morning. Community members assisted by tracking debris and other items, such as bags, chairs, and oxygen tanks, as they came ashore.
Vincent owned the Aquarius Dive Shop in Monterey and appears to have been piloting the aircraft. According to his Facebook posts, he had recently obtained his multi-engine rating certification in February. The twin-engine Beechcraft was purchased in January under the company name Sea2Sky Aviation, LLC, registered in Delaware.
Clatterbuck listed himself as retired and a scuba instructor on his Facebook page, having previously worked in the heating and sheet metal business. Both Vincent and Clatterbuck were well-known in the diving community locally and internationally.
The local community has responded with an outpouring of support for the victims’ families. Flowers were placed in front of the Aquarius Dive Shop to honor the memory of the three men. Dennis McFadden, a diving enthusiast in Monterey, praised Vincent’s service and guidance over the years, noting that his grandson and three friends were certified at Aquarius.
Melissa Johnson, who identified herself as Clatterbuck’s stepdaughter on Facebook, described both Clatterbuck and Vincent as adventurers who lived life to the fullest, whether in the air, underwater, or on land. Bart Cutino, son of the Sardine Factory’s owner, wrote on Facebook about hiring Vincent 20 years ago, describing him as having an entrepreneurial and adventurous spirit.
The Federal Aviation Administration records show the aircraft was manufactured in 1974. The plane was registered to a Delaware aviation company. Flight tracking data indicates the aircraft was last seen at 10:37 p.m. near Monterey.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash. An NTSB investigator arrived on the scene Monday to begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft once it had been recovered. A preliminary report is typically available within 30 days of an accident, though this depends on when the aircraft is recovered and when investigators gain access to it.
The weather ceiling in the area at the time of the crash was reported to be 800 to 900 feet. Pilots familiar with the route noted the challenges of flying to the Central Coast, particularly when conditions may vary between departure and destination airports.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office stated that the families and friends of the victims wish to extend their gratitude for the community’s support while asking for privacy during this difficult time.
