Night Flight Ends in Tragedy Off California Coast

A small twin-engine plane crash off California’s central coast near Monterey led to the tragic deaths of all three people on board, according to multiple official sources and local media reports.

The aircraft, a Beech 95-B55 Baron manufactured in 1974, took off from San Carlos Airport at 10:11 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 26, 2025, en route to Monterey Regional Airport.

The flight was last seen at 10:37 p.m. near Monterey, around 300 yards (275 meters) off Point Pinos in Monterey County, when it crashed into the Pacific Ocean.

The three occupants of the plane were identified as Steve Eugene Clatterbuck, 60, from Salinas; James Vincent, 36, from Monterey; and Jamie Lee Tabscott, 44, also from Monterey.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Unit confirmed the identities and the unfortunate deaths of all three individuals.

The families of the victims have expressed gratitude for the community’s support and requested privacy during this difficult time.

Witnesses near the crash site reported hearing the engine of an aircraft revving and then a loud splash in the water, signaling the moment of impact.

People on shore later saw debris from the plane wash up on nearby beaches, including parts such as the plane’s wheel.

The crash occurred in the vicinity of the Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, a location noted for the tragic accident involving folk singer and pilot John Denver in 1997.

Following notification of the crash around 10:55 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard, along with local law enforcement and fire agencies, quickly mobilized a search and rescue operation.

Station Monterey launched a 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew, arriving at the site about 15 minutes after the alert.

Supplementing the maritime search, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco and Air Station Ventura conducted aerial surveillance and search activities.

The Coast Guard and rescue teams located the first victim unresponsive in the water at approximately 3:01 a.m. the following Sunday.

Later that morning, a drone operated by Cal Fire located the fuselage of the Beechcraft plane submerged underwater near the crash site.

Commercial divers, in coordination with the Monterey Fire Department boat crew, recovered the remaining two victims still inside the aircraft between 6:31 a.m. and 9:08 a.m.

Unfortunately, all three were unresponsive upon recovery, confirming no survivors from the crash.

Flight tracking data from FlightAware.com corroborated the flight’s timeline, showing the plane’s departure from San Carlos at 10:11 p.m. and its last tracking near Monterey at 10:37 p.m.

The data suggests the aircraft was on a night flight with clear tracking until the moment it went down.

The small plane had previously flown the route from Monterey to San Carlos on July 18, 2025, indicating it was familiar territory for the passengers and pilot.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Both agencies have launched formal inquiries to determine the factors leading to the aircraft’s descent into Pacific waters.

At this stage, officials have not released details on possible mechanical failure, weather conditions, or other contributing causes.

The crash has drawn significant attention due to its proximity to populated coastal areas and the tragic loss of life.

Pilots familiar with the region note that flying into the Central Coast can present challenges despite generally good weather conditions, especially at night.

Features such as overcast skies and coastal microclimates require pilot proficiency and current certifications for safe navigation.

The incident also recalls previous aviation tragedies in the area, underscoring the risks of small aircraft operations near coastal terrain.

Rescue and recovery efforts involved a coordinated multi-agency response.

Besides the Coast Guard’s maritime and air units, local entities including the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Pacific Grove Police Department, Monterey Fire Department, Cal Fire, and San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office contributed personnel and resources for the search operation.

Their collaborative effort ensured a rapid response and thorough search despite difficult conditions at sea and night-time operations.

In summary, the July 26, 2025, crash of a small twin-engine Beech 95-B55 Baron off California’s central coast near Monterey resulted in the deaths of Steve Clatterbuck, James Vincent, and Jamie Tabscott.

The aircraft plunged into the ocean shortly after takeoff from San Carlos Airport and was last seen near Monterey about 25 minutes into its flight.

Authorities recovered the victims’ bodies from the water and aircraft wreckage, with investigations ongoing to determine the cause of the tragedy.

This devastating accident highlights the inherent risks of small plane aviation in coastal environments and has prompted an outpouring of concern and support from the local community.

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