Coast Guard Rescues 2 From Sinking Plane Off California Coast

MORRO BAY, Calif. (AP) — Two people have been rescued from a sinking plane that crashed into the ocean off California's central coast.

The Coast Guard said it received a distress call Sunday afternoon from the single-engine Cessna whose GPS alerted rescuers to the aircraft's whereabouts, which was 38 nautical miles northwest of Morro Bay.

Petty Officer Rachel Polish said Coast Guard helicopters and boats were dispatched. Aircraft from several other agencies helped pinpoint the overturned plane.

Rescuers from a San Francisco-based Coast Guard helicopter ultimately hoisted the pair from the water. Polish said they were taken to Paso Robles, where they declined medical attention.

Polish said the aircraft was heading to Canada when the engine stalled.

FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer said the aircraft, which got caught in a kelp field, sank after the rescue.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.