At least 2 dead after plane crashes near Gulf Shores Saturday night

At least two people are dead after a plane crashed Saturday evening near Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Officials said a private plane bound for Gulf Shores Airport crashed around 6:50 p.m. local time (7:50 p.m. ET) Saturday, according to local WKRG. The U.S. Coast Guard said emergency response efforts began immediately, with multiple agencies launching a coordinated search by air, land and sea, the outlet reported.

“A large emergency response effort is underway in the Sailboat Bay and Plash Island area following a plane crash in Bon Secour Bay,” Gulf Shores police wrote in a statement posted to Facebook Saturday evening.

“Marine and diving units as well as other first responders are on scene,” they said.

A plane that crashed near Gulf Shores, Alabama, is believed to have been a Beechcraft Bonanza. (Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP)

Responding agencies reportedly included the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Daphne Search and Rescue, American Medical Response (AMR) and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as other partner organizations.

Authorities have not yet confirmed how many people were on board the plane. The investigation is still ongoing.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard, Gulf Shores Police, Gulf Shores Fire Chief Mark Sealy and Orange Beach Fire Chief Jeff Smith for comment.

The single-engine plane is believed to be a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, AL.com reported.

The Beechcraft Bonanza A36 is a high-performance, single-engine, six-seat aircraft known for its speed, comfort and long production run (1970-2005).

It can currently be purchased for between $199,000 and $719,000, according to online listings.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

So far, there have been 186 airplane deaths in 2026, according to data from the Aviation Safety Network.

Related article