SAN DIEGO -- 10News has obtained a Federal Aviation Administration tape from last week's fatal plane crash into the ocean near the Santa Monica pier.

The small single-engine Bonanza was bound for San Diego last Monday on a voluntary medical mission to fly a patient to UCLA, but a failed engine cut the flight and two lives short -- pilot Peter Tomarken, a former game show host, and his wife.

They were in trouble moments after taking off from the Santa Monica airport, according to the FAA tapes.

"What's the nature of your emergency?" asked an air traffic controller.

"I'm losing the engine. It's going out on me," said Tomarken.

At that time, Tomarken was over the water.

Air traffic controllers based at San Diego's Tracon FAA facility directed Tomarken back to the Santa Monica Airport.

"I'm at 900 feet. I don't think I can make the airport," said Tomarken.

Tomarken knew there was no reviving his Bonanza's single-engine.

"Negative on the airport," said Tomarken.

"I saw a big splash. I saw people screaming and running," said eyewitness Vicki Ricome.

Investigators say the failed engine is the likely cause of the crash.