Boater Reported Plane Down In Ocean Friday Afternoon

Coast Guard officials have halted their search for a pilot missing off the coast of southern California since Friday, saying it's unlikely the man survived in the cool ocean waters.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Stone Froberg rented a Cessna 172 from the Golden Wings Flying Club at Montgomery Field (MYF) late Friday morning. The 70-year-old, recently-certificated pilot did not file a flight plan, but told acquaintances he planned to fly to French Valley Airport (F70) near Murrieta/Temecula, about 46 nautical miles north, and back to MYF by late afternoon.

Froberg reportedly took off at 11:46 am PST. Straight as the crow flies, that route does not go over the Pacific... but family members said the electronic engineer often took sightseeing jaunts on Fridays.

A boater 35 miles off the coast reported seeing a plane crash into the ocean at about 2 pm, and Coast Guard search crews were dispatched. A few hours later, searchers found debris off the coast of San Clemente, and an oil slick.

Crews resumed their search Saturday in the waters off San Clemente... but suspended the search by noon. Coast Guard Lt. Joshua Nelson said the water temperature was between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, giving a person "about 16 to 24 hours of useful consciousness."

FMI: www.uscg.mil