3 victims identified in plane crash off of California coast

Three bodies have been recovered following a July 26 small plane crash in Pacific Grove, California, according to local reports.

The Sherriff's Office identified the people killed in the crash in a statement provided to Paste BN June 27 as Steve Eugene Clatterbuck, 60, Jamie Lee Tabscott, 44, and James Vincent, 36. All three victims were residents of Monterey County.

"The family and friends of the deceased have expressed that they wish to extend their gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community," the statement reads.

The U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release the first body was found in the early morning hours of Sunday, followed by the fuselage of the Beechcraft BE55 and the remaining two bodies.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a preliminary statement to Paste BN that three people were on the plane it alerted as missing off the coast of the town July 26. The Coast Guard added that Coast Guard Station Monterey was alerted to the crash, just north of Asilomar State Beach and 17 Mile Drive, at around 10:55 p.m. Saturday night.

Flight tracking data published by FlightAware shows flight N8796R leaving from San Carlos Airport at 10:11 p.m. PT heading toward the Monterey Regional Airport. The tracker indicates that the plane turned around over the seaside town and was last seen around 10:37 p.m. PT.

Cal Fire told KSBW that witnesses reported hearing an aircraft engine revving, followed by a splash in the ocean.

The NTSB will lead the investigation, the FAA said in its statement.

This story has been updated to add new information.