Incident Overview
A pilot/mechanic, having completed an annual inspection on an aircraft, intended to perform a short test flight over the channel between the mainland and an island. The Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) cleared the aircraft for takeoff at 1757 hours with a right downwind departure. After the pilot left the local control frequency, there were no documented radio contacts with the aircraft.
Flight Details
Recorded radar data showed the aircraft departing the Torrance Airport traffic area and proceeding southbound over the channel for a distance of about 10 miles. The target then reversed course and was headed for the mainland again when the target track appeared to make an abrupt left turn and disappear at a point about six miles south of San Pedro.
Witness Reports
Several witnesses were in boats in the channel at approximately the time the target disappeared, and in the general area of the last recorded radar position. Several of the witnesses reported hearing sounds of an engine sputtering, then the sounds of a large splash. One witness reported observing a low flying aircraft at about 1830 hours just prior to hearing the large splash sounds. However, the witness could not identify the aircraft make, model, or even specific class (single or multi-engine) that he observed.