The FAA and U.S. Coast Guard confirmed two planes collided midair and plunged into the ocean below.
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No survivors have been found, and the number of passengers on board the planes was not immediately available, Anderson said.
Williams says both planes had taken off from the nearby Torrance Airport, and both pilots were experienced.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department and Long Beach Fire Department responded to the scene in addition to the Coast Guard.
L.A. County lifeguard Capt. Ken Haskett told the OC Register that two dozen divers were looking for wreckage thought to be 80 to 90 feet below the surface.
The planes collided at around 3:30 p.m. and apparently went into the water about two miles outside the harbor entrance, U.S. Coast Guard and other officials said.
Divers working for several emergency response agencies have expanded their search area off the San Pedro Harbor for any survivors following a mid-air collision involving two light aircraft Friday afternoon.
There are reports of debris in the water but underwater visibility in the area is limited to a few feet.
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Long Beach Fire Department and Los Angeles Port Police also were involved in the search.
