Plane with two on board crashes into sea off Jersey

A light aircraft with two people on board has ditched in the sea off Jersey in the Channel Islands.

An air-and-sea search operation is under way following the incident this morning about five miles west of Jersey airport.

The UK-based and American-registered Cessna plane was heading for Jersey airport from Dinan in France, an airport spokesman said.

A spokesman for Jersey airport said: “Search and rescue vessels, including Channel Islands Airsearch, a UK rescue helicopter and a French rescue helicopter are currently assisting in the search-and-rescue operation, as well as lifeboats and other available watercraft in the vicinity.

“Coastal visibility is poor at present but we understand that in the area being searched visibility is better.

“As a result of the incident, flow control has been implemented at Jersey airport, which could cause some delays for commercial flights.”