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| Date: | Sunday 17 August 2025 |
| Time: | 15:12 |
| Type: |  Cessna 140 |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N89447 |
| MSN: | 8479 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1946 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Shelter Cove Airport (0Q5), Shelter Cove, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Shelter Cove Airport, CA (0Q5) |
| Santa Rosa-Sonoma County Airport, CA (STS/KSTS) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
On August 17, 2025 about 1521 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N89447, was involved in an accident near Shelter Cove, California. The student pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The flight departed Shelter Cove Airport (0Q5), Shelter Cove, California, and was destined for Charles M Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS), Santa Rosa, California. A witness located near the airport reported that the airplane departed runway 12 and made a steep climbing right turn over the ocean into low coastal fog, and the airplane disappeared from view. Shortly thereafter, he heard sirens and someone calling for help in the water.
The passenger reported that they flew to 0Q5 for lunch and were returning to STS. He stated that they departed to the south, into the wind, and intended to circle the airport and fly over the runway to gain altitude. He stated that after they took off, they made a right turn northbound over the ocean and entered fog. The passenger noted that he could see the water below them and that it was closer than expected. Shortly after entering the fog, he described the feeling of turbulence and stated the airplane was “violently pushed down” and then it impacted the water. He did not remember exiting the airplane after the impact. First responders transported the occupants by personal watercraft to shore.
The wreckage has not been recovered.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://kymkemp.com/2025/08/17/plane-crashes-at-shelter-cove-two-rescued-from-water/
NTSB
http://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N89447
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 8 February 1986 | N89447 | Private | 0 | Rancho Murieta, CA | |
sub |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 18-Aug-2025 14:41 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 19-Aug-2025 06:33 | Henry in Oz | Updated [Narrative, ] |
| 08-Sep-2025 18:25 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Destination airport, Narrative, Category, Accident report, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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