SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, February 09, SPA -- A single-engine planecarrying six people crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off thenorth coast of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Coast Guard saidMonday. Authorities located a debris field off the northwesterncity of Quebradillas, and helicopters and boats have beensearching for survivors, Coast Guard spokesman RicardoCastrodad said. Witnesses reported seeing an explosion on the plane beforeit crashed near nightfall Sunday about a half-mile (akilometer) off shore, police spokeswoman Jessica Cardonasaid. The missing pilot and all five passengers are U.S. citizens, Castrodad said. The Cessna 206, chartered by Tropical Aviation Corp., wastraveling from the Casa de Campo International Airport inthe Dominican Republic to San Juan, according to a CoastGuard news release. Castrodad said rescue crews are hoping the search forsurvivors will become easier after daybreak.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/633949