Tragedy Near Asilomar Beach: Monterey Pilot James Vincent and Two Others Killed in Plane Crash
PACIFIC GROVE, CA — A deep sense of sorrow has swept through Monterey County following the tragic crash of a twin-engine aircraft near Asilomar Beach late Sunday night. The crash claimed the lives of three men, including well-known local businessman James Vincent, 36, who was piloting the plane.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the victims were James Vincent of Monterey; Steve Clatterbuck, 60, of Salinas; and Jamie Tabscott, 44, also of Monterey. All three men were onboard a Beechcraft Baron, tail number N8796R, when it went down shortly after 10:30 p.m. off the Pacific Grove shoreline.
Vincent, the owner and operator of Aquarius Dive Shop on Del Monte Avenue in Monterey, was also the registered owner of the aircraft through his aviation company, Sea2Sky Aviation LLC. Known for his passion for both the sea and the sky, Vincent embodied the adventurous spirit of the Central Coast, often flying between cities and offering diving experiences through his well-established business.
The aircraft, a Beechcraft Baron built in 1974 and capable of carrying up to six passengers, was en route from San Carlos Airport in the Bay Area to Monterey Peninsula Airport when tragedy struck. Online flight records and radar data indicate that the plane may have encountered spatial disorientation shortly before impact, though the official cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Witnesses reported hearing a low rumble followed by an abrupt silence and emergency responders rushing toward the shoreline. The U.S. Coast Guard led recovery efforts, retrieving the bodies of the three victims from the wreckage and beginning the painstaking task of collecting debris from the surrounding waters and coastline to aid investigators.
“The recovery process has been difficult due to the challenging conditions of the crash site,” a Coast Guard official said. “Our priority was locating and identifying the victims, and now we shift our focus to supporting investigators as they piece together the events that led to this tragic loss.”
As news of the crash spread Monday morning, shock and grief echoed throughout the community. Many knew Vincent not only for his dive shop, which had become a cornerstone for local diving enthusiasts and marine conservation efforts, but also for his generous spirit and infectious enthusiasm for life.
Steve Clatterbuck and Jamie Tabscott, both described by friends as kind, down-to-earth, and deeply connected to their families and community, were remembered in social media tributes and tearful gatherings across Salinas and Monterey. Tabscott was reportedly a longtime friend of Vincent’s, and the two shared a deep bond through aviation and the outdoors.
Local leaders and community organizations have expressed their condolences, and plans are already underway to honor the lives lost. A candlelight vigil is being organized at Lovers Point Park, overlooking the coastline where the plane went down—a solemn reflection of the heartbreak and loss felt across the Central Coast.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the crash. Investigators are analyzing radar data, maintenance logs, pilot history, and weather conditions from the night of the flight.
Until more is known, residents are clinging to memories of the three men lost—remembering not only the tragedy of their passing but the light and spirit they brought to those around them.
“This is a devastating loss,” said one friend. “James, Steve, and Jamie were men who lived life with passion, who gave to their community, and who left us far too soon.”