EL CAJON, Calif. —  A sheriff's helicopter on routine patrol spotted the wreckage of a small, private airplane, and the bodies of two Navy members were recovered Sunday, authorities said.

Officials did not know when the crash occurred at the rural site and said they did not know the model of the plane.

The coroner's office would not reveal the victims' identities and referred questions to Navy Region Southwest Command. It did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment.

The wreck was spotted about noon Saturday. The National Transportation Safety Board was investigating.

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