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4 Passengers Survive After Small Plane Crashes Into Big Bear Lake

BIG BEAR LAKE (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Saturday say it's nothing short of incredible that four passengers survived after their small plane made an emergency landing into Big Bear Lake.

FAA Communications Specialist Allen Kenitzer said the Beech A36 Bonanza lost engine power and plowed into shallow water. The aircraft landed upside down around 10:40 a.m. near the lake's south shoreline.

Local authorities reported that the four passengers managed to swim to shore with only minor injuries.

Officials at Big Bear Airport told CBSLA that the small plane made a call inbound but lost altitude and was unable to make it to the runway.

Cynthia Bachman, a spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, said deputies are investigating the incident.

No further information was made available.

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