Small plane takes off in Philadelphia; crashes off New York City coastline

QUEENS, N.Y. (WPVI) -- Authorities say one person is dead after a plane that took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport crashed in the Atlantic Ocean off Queens, New York.

A 911 call came in before 8 p.m. Wednesday that a small aircraft went down off Beach 219 Street at Breezy Point Blvd.

The plane was heading to Portsmouth, New Hampshire before it crashed off the Atlantic Ocean, officials say.

The victim has been tentatively identified as the 57-year-old owner of the plane.

Detectives are traveling to New Hampshire to confirm his identity with family members.

The pilot was the only person on board the small, fixed-wing, single-engine plane.

There were brief concerns that there was another victim on board after luggage containing a woman's items was found on the plane.

Divers were in the water all night searching for debris. Their efforts were hampered by poor visibility.

Police were hoping as daylight arrives they will have a better chance of collecting evidence.

The victim's name has not been released.