Officials: Plane Crashes Off Coast Of Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, N..J, (CBS) -- A search and rescue mission is underway after a small plane crash was reported off the coast of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Officials say the plane was heading to Atlantic City from Gaylord, Michigan.

According to officials, the single-engine aircraft reportedly crashed at about 2:45 p.m. Thursday into the Atlantic Ocean, about 20 miles southeast of Atlantic City.

The FAA released the following statement:

"A single-engine Mooney M20 aircraft reportedly crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 20 miles southeast of Atlantic City, N.J., at about 2:45 p.m. today. The aircraft departed from Gaylord, Mich., and was headed to Atlantic City International Airport. We will update this statement when we get new information."

The U.S. Coast Guard says a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Ibis, a 25-foot Response Boat-Small crews and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Morro Bay are searching.

They say they are working with multiple agencies including the New Jersey State Police and the NOAA ship Henry Bigelow.

NJSP Marine unit assisting USCG with report of small aircraft crash approx 7 mi off coast of Atlantic City.

— NJSP - State Police (@NJSP) September 10, 2015

The U.S. Coast Guard did find a debris field scattered for miles.

It's still unclear how many people were on board outside of the pilot.

The U.S. Coast Guard tells CBS 3 Eyewitness News the pilot has been identified as 68-year-old Michael Moir.

The search and rescue operation is still underway.

Stay with CBSPhilly.com for the latest on this developing story.