Cessna 140 N89447

Summary

On 17 August 2025 at about 22:12 local time, a Cessna 140 registered N89447 was involved in an accident near Shelter Cove, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. No probable cause has been published yet; this accident is still under investigation.

Date

17 August 2025 at 22:12

Classification

Accident

Location

Shelter Cove, California, United States

Nearest airport

Shelter Cove (0Q5)

Coordinates

40.0182, -124.0661

Aircraft

Cessna 140

Registration

N89447

Category

Airplane

Year built

1946

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Santa Rosa

Aircraft damage

Unknown

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR25FA257

1 person died.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. The investigation is still open; a final report usually follows one to two years after the accident.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.