Did witnesses see fiery plane crash off Flagler Beach coast?
What did people see crash into the Atlantic Ocean late Tuesday night off the Flagler County coast?
That question remained unanswered Wednesday morning, but investigators said they are searching for a possible plane crash.
Dispatchers started getting calls Tuesday night reporting a fireball falling out of the sky and into the ocean off Flagler Beach, near State Roads A1A and 100.
Flagler County deputies then called the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, asking if they could use that agency's helicopter, AirOne, to help in the search.
The helicopter was sent up, but officials quickly realized that the search area would be too far out over the open water to safely operate the aircraft.
Officials said they believe the crash happened about 7 miles offshore. So AirOne had to turn around and head back to shore.
Deputies then notified the Coast Guard, which sent a boat from Station Ponce Inlet to begin searching.
According to Petty Officer Jessica Potter, the Coast Guard has yet to find any wreckage or any other sign of a plane down in the ocean.
Potter also said there have been no reports of missing or overdue aircraft in the area. However, she did not rule out a possible aerial search once the sun rises.
For now, whatever people saw drop into the ocean remains a mystery.
