CWN Team Coverage by Matt Pitta-WXTK, with CWN's Jake O'Callaghan, Kevin Morley and Assoc. John P. Carroll
Officials stand by the recovered body of a plane crash victim Jake O'Callaghan/CWN
Audio available: Statement from Brewster Police Lt. Heath Eldredge
BREWSTER - Around 10:05 a.m. Sunday the Yarmouth and Dennis fire departments were alerted to a possible airplane crash on or near the Cape Cod Bay shoreline between the two towns. The single-engine aircraft, reportedly a Piper Comanche, was headed to Hyannis from Martha's Vineyard when the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit (Audio available). Shortly afterwards the plane reportedly disappeared from radar.
Yarmouth and Dennis firefighters responded to beach areas along the coastline but blowing snow conditions hampered visibility. An emergency operations center was established in Yarmouthport at Gray's Beach.
A second alarm was sounded to provide coverage for Yarmouth and Dennis from surrounding towns. The Massachusetts Fire Marshal's Incident Support Unit vehicle was dispatched to the scene. A Coast Guard helo and Falcon jet were also over the area.
Early Sunday afternoon, Brewster area units were called to search the area of the Captain's Golf Course on Freeman's Way (right) and Nickerson State Park area after reports of an emergency beacon being detected in the area.Dennis Fire Chief Mark Dellner confirmed to WXTK's Matt Pitta there were two men on the plane, a pilot and a student. He also said the snow squalls coming off the water have hampered the initial search because of reduced visibility.
About 3 p.m., WXTK's Matt Pitta reported officials confirmed two victims were recovered from the apparent crash scene off Saints Landing (Google map) on the bay side of Brewster. Pieces of debris have also been found in that area which was cordoned off while the search continued. According to a flight service website, the plane was enroute from Martha's Vineyard to Hyannis. The 1961 Piper Comanche was registered to Margaret M. Johnston of East Falmouth. The FAA and Mass Aeronautics Commission will be involved in the crash investigation.
Top photo by Jake O'Callaghan/CWN; upper right photo by Matt Pitta/CWN; photo of plane courtesy of Flight Aware
Mass dolphin strandings on Cape
CAPE COD - Some 30 dolphins stranded across the Cape on Saturday. IFAW teams responded to incidents from Dennnis to Wellfleet. 11 dolphins were saved and released. 10-12 others could not be saved. Teams were unable to reach 8 others due to the tide. Officials will remain on standby Sunday for any additional strandings. This was one of the largest strandings in recent memory.
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