Wreckage Found in Panhandle Plane Crash

3:30 p.m.
The wreckage of a small plane reported to have crashed into the Gulf of Mexico at the Okaloosa/Walton County line has been located by the Okaloosa Sheriff's Office and the Fish and Wildlife Commission around 3:20pm.

The plane is resting on the sea bottom about 3/4 mile off the coast of the Okaloosa/Walton County line. Divers will attempt to reach the wreckage.

It is still unclear what caused the crash and how many people were on board.

1:30 p.m.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office received a call around 12:20 Friday that someone had seen a small airplane go into the Gulf of Mexico near the Okaloosa/Walton County line.

Units from area fire departments, EMS, and the Okaloosa and Walton's Sheriff's Office have responded to the scene.

Initial reports indicate two people were on the World War II-era plane when it crashed about 12:30 p.m., according to U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer John Scott.

The plane reportedly crashed into the water, caught fire and then sank about 1,200 feet off the beach behind Pompano Joe's Destin, Scott said. A search perimeter has been set up and officials from several agencies including the Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife are at the scene searching for the plane.

Witnesses said the yellow plane had been flying in the area for about 10 minutes doing a few stunts when it crashed. Right after the plane hit the water, a lifeguard jumped on a jet ski to go to the area, but the plane had already sunk by then, Tompkins said.