The pilot of the plane made multiple mayday calls shortly before crashing into the water at about 12:30 p.m., according to the NTSB.

Authorities are investigating after a small plane crashed into the ocean 5 miles (8 kilometers) off the coast near San Diego with six people aboard.

Search crews found scattered wreckage of the aircraft floating in an area where the water is about 200 feet deep, Coast Guard Petty Officer Ryan Graves said.