A Guyanese pilot and two passengers died in a plane crash off the Long Island, New York coast on Saturday morning.

Dead is Munidat ‘Raj’ Persaud.

US authorities have not identified the victims but the pilot’s wife confirmed on social media that he was involved in the accident, which claimed his life.

In 2016, Persaud and another pilot were accused of gross aviation violations after they flew out two Cessna 206 aircraft, which were the subject of High Court litigation in Guyana, from the Ogle Airport without authorisation.

US media reported that one body has so far been recovered. The identity of the victim who was found was not immediately determined.

“It’s still a search and recovery at this point,” Quogue Village Police Chief Christopher Isola said at a news conference late Saturday afternoon, according to Newsday.

“The Coast Guard along with other marine assets will continue in that effort.”

• The cause of the crash is not known, Isola said.

Officials said people on the beach reported the plane sputtering before it crashed.