Actions

One body recovered after plane crash in Ocean City

Posted
and last updated

Maryland State Police are searching for a missing plane and working to recover a body in Worcester County.

The investigation was initiated around 10:00 a.m. Thursday when Federal Aviation officials reported an overdue plane.

According to Coast Guard Petty Officer Ronald Hodges, just after 5:00 p.m., search crews located the main body and tail section of the plane near Ocean City's inlet.

Earlier Thursday, Officials with the United States Coast Guard identified the missing passengers as Banica Richard Robinson and Marcson Ngwa.

The body of one of the missing passengers was found inside the plane. State Police say the body recovered was a man wearing the same clothing the pilot was described as being dressed in upon departure from Martin State Airport Wednesday.

The body will be transported to the Medical Examiners Office in Baltimore. 

Search efforts have concluded for the night and will resume searching for the second passenger once weather permits.

Debris assumed to be associated with an aircraft were also recovered nearby.

Police have established a command post at the Maryland Natural Resources Police boathouse on Harbor Road in West Ocean City.

The Maryland State Police Underwater Recovery Unit is on the scene with assistance being provided by the US Coast Guard and other air and boat crews.

The aircraft, believed to be a single engine four-passenger Cessna 172 plane departed Martin State Airport Wednesday night for Ocean City.  It is unknown how many passengers were on board.

The incident is being investigated as a crash. A search is ongoing for the second missing person.

Stay with ABC2 for more updates.