What happened
On August 17, 2025, at approximately 15:21 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, registration N89447, crashed into the ocean near Shelter Cove, California. The flight was operating under Part 91 regulations as a personal flight, traveling from Shelter Cove Airport (0Q5) to Charles M Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS).
A witness near the airport observed the aircraft depart runway 12 and execute a steep climbing right turn over the ocean. The aircraft entered low coastal fog and disappeared from view. Shortly after the aircraft was no longer visible, the witness heard sirens and calls for assistance near the water.
The passenger reported that the flight had departed southward into the wind, with the intention of circling the airport and flying over the runway to increase altitude. During the flight, the aircraft made a right turn northbound over the ocean and entered fog. The passenger noted that the water appeared closer than expected and described experiencing turbulence that "violently pushed down" the airplane before it impacted the water.
The accident resulted in 1 fatality and 1 serious injury. First responders used personal watercraft to transport the occupants to shore. The wreckage of the aircraft has not been recovered.