In a tragic incident off the coast of Half Moon Bay, the search for survivors of a plane crash has been called off by the Coast Guard after hours of extensive search efforts. The plane, which was found upside down in the water near Ross Cove, had departed from an East Bay airport.

According to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, the search operation lasted for nearly six hours and covered an area of approximately 28 square miles. Both aerial and maritime resources were utilized, including helicopter and boat crews from the Coast Guard. However, no passengers were found during the search.

"We deeply regret having to suspend the search, and our thoughts are with the families affected by this tragic incident," expressed Ian McGoohan, operations unit controller at the Sector San Francisco Command Center. "We are thankful for the collaboration of our partner agencies in this search effort."

The wreckage of the plane is currently being recovered, with a piece already discovered near Ross Cove. The authorities have not yet determined the exact departure point of the plane, but they believe it took off from an East Bay airport. It is unclear whether the pilot was attempting to land at Half Moon Bay's Airport.

On Sunday afternoon, rescue swimmers successfully retrieved a father and his son from the ocean near Pacifica, which is presumed to be unrelated to the crashed plane.

Eye witnesses from the Moss Beach Distillery reported seeing the plane flying erratically and sputtering before disappearing over the horizon. Some witnesses noted that the plane was deviating from the airport's flight path and must have been in distress.

Investigation into the incident is underway, led by agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, along with numerous other agencies such as the San Mateo Fire Department, San Mateo Police Department, and California Highway Patrol Helicopter aircrew, assisted in the search efforts.

The search and rescue team faced challenges due to low visibility and high tides, impeding their progress. However, the use of drones and the support of the Coast Guard aided the search operation.

Details regarding the number of passengers aboard the plane remain unknown at this time.

As the investigation continues, authorities strive to gather all relevant information to determine the cause of the crash and bring closure to the families affected by this tragic incident.