SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Sarasota officials say a small plane crashed into the water off the off the coast near Venice Beach.

Sarasota Sheriff’s Community Affairs Manager Wendy Rose said investigators believe the pilot was the only person in the plane Sunday afternoon and were attempting to rescue him. She did not immediately know his condition. Rose said the plane appeared to have gone down South of Caspersen Beach and North of Manasota Key along Florida’ central western coast. She said the Venice airport alerted the Sheriff’s office. Initially the pilot was told to land on the beach, but he could not make it to land.