HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A small plane experiencing engine trouble made an emergency landing along the shore of Huntington Beach Thursday night.

The plane landed on the sand between lifeguard towers 11 and 13 around 9:30 p.m. after it was unable to return to John Wayne Airport, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.

A police helicopter pilot overhead radio traffic from John Wayne Airport about an "aircraft in distress" and saw when the small plane landed safely on the beach, according to HBPD.

Both occupants on the plane were not injured.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been notified.

Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 shows the plane took off from Santa Barbara.

The incident comes after five people were in

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