11:30 am Update from Gulf Shores Police:  On the evening of March 7, 2026, at approximately 7:00 P.M., the Gulf Shores Police Department received a report of a possible plane crash roughly seven miles west of the Gulf Shores International Airport in the Bon Secour Bay.

The Gulf Shores Police Department Marine Unit responded immediately to the area of the aircraft’s last known radar location. Upon arrival, officers discovered a debris field from a small private aircraft in the waters. First Responders recovered the bodies of two individuals who were on board at the time of the crash. With the coordinated efforts of several other agencies, including Gulf Shores Fire Rescue, Orange Beach Police Department, Oyster Bay Fire Department, Daphne Search and Rescue, and the US Coast Guard, a thorough search of the surrounding area was conducted, and no additional passengers—living or deceased—were located.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and will lead the investigation. The Gulf Shores Police Department will continue to assist the NTSB as needed throughout the investigative process.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones affected by this tragic event. We extend our deepest condolences during this difficult time.”

If members of the public observe any debris associated with the crash, they are asked to contact the Gulf Shores Police Department at 251-968-2431. For safety and investigative integrity, please do not collect or disturb any debris.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — A small private plane crashed into Bon Secour Bay near Gulf Shores on Saturday evening, killing two people and prompting a large emergency response on the water and along the shoreline. The aircraft went down in the bay while en route to Gulf Shores, according to early reports from officials. Multiple agencies rushed to the scene, including the U.S. Coast Guard and local fire and police departments. Crews searched the water and nearby areas by boat and on land as darkness fell, looking for victims and debris from the wrecked plane.

The crash occurred around 6:50 p.m. as the plane was heading toward Gulf Shores International Airport, authorities said. Within minutes, a coordinated search was launched across Bon Secour Bay and near Plash Island. Responders used boats, lights, and other equipment to scan the water and find the downed aircraft.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the plane was a private Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft that entered the bay and did not reach the runway. Officials said the exact number of people initially on board was unclear in the early hours of the response, but they confirmed that at least two people had been killed. Aviation incident listings later noted that two occupants of the aircraft died in the crash.

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Emergency crews from multiple agencies worked together during the operation. The Coast Guard stated that air, land, and water resources were used in the search and recovery efforts. Local agencies, including Gulf Shores Fire Rescue and other nearby departments, responded by deploying boats and rescue teams into the bay. Officials described it as a major emergency operation focused on Bon Secour Bay and the Plash Island area.

Later Saturday night, search teams located the wreckage in the water and recovered two bodies from the crash site. Authorities said recovery operations continued as they worked to secure the scene and gather evidence.

Investigators will review flight records, weather conditions, and witness statements to determine the cause of the plane crash. Federal aviation officials often join local responders and the Coast Guard in investigating serious crashes involving private aircraft. Currently, the community is left with questions as officers and safety experts try to reconstruct the final moments before the plane fell into Bon Secour Bay.