Single-engine plane crashes into Atlantic off New Jersey coast; fate of any occupant unclear

Authorities say a single-engine plane has crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New Jersey.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the plane departed from Gaylord, Michigan, earlier Thursday and was headed to Atlantic City International Airport.

The FAA says the Mooney M20 crashed at around 2:45 p.m. A Coast Guard spokesman says a debris field has been found 17 miles off the coast of Atlantic City.

The Coast Guard is searching for the plane, along with boat crews and a helicopter crew.

No details were immediately available on the condition of anyone aboard the plane.

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This story has been corrected to show that the plane was 17 miles, not 7 miles, off the coast.