SURVIVORS BEING BROUGHT ASHORE; PATROL LAUNCH SEARCHING FOR MORE; WRECKAGE, DOLL AND CLOTHING BEING BROUGHT ASHORE; AIRCRAFT BEING TOWED BACK TO SHORE.




Initials SA-N-TELE/BOB/ES



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Background: MOST OF THE 36 PASSENGERS AND NINE CREW MADE WHAT RESCUERS CALLED MIRACULOUS ESCAPES AFTER A SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES DC-8 PASSENGER JET PLUNGED INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN TEN MILE (16 KMS) FROM LOS ANGELES ON MONDAY NIGHT (13 JANUARY).

SURVIVORS WERE BROUGHT ASHORE AT MARINA DEL REY. TWO U.S. COAST GUARD HELICOPTERS AND FOUR CUTTERS PRESSED THE SEARCH FOR MORE SURVIVORS IN CHOPPY SEAS WHERE SHARKS WERE SEEN; SCORE OF SMALL CRAFT FROM BOATING CLUBS IN THE AREA HELPED IN THE SEARCH. IT WAS FEARED THAT THOSE STILL MISSING WERE TRAPPED IN THE TAIL SECTION WHICH SNAPPED OFF THE FUSELAGE AND SANK IN 240 FEET (70 METRES) OF WATER.

CAPTAIN KENNETH DAVIS, A BRITON, SAID ME HAD BEEN MAKING A ROUTINE APPROACH EXCEPT FOR SOME DIFFICULTY WITH THE LANDING GEAR. IT IS THE FIRST CRASH INVOLVING A COMMERCIAL AIRLINER AT THE LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SINCE ITS OPENING IN 1947.