# NTSB WPR25FA257: Cessna 140, N89447, Shelter Cove, CA, August 17, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report
- Date: August 17, 2025, 15:12 local (22:12 UTC)
- Place: Shelter Cove, CA
- Coordinates: 40.018245, -124.06608
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0182&lon=-124.0661&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 200803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25FA257
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA257

## Preliminary report

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.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89447](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89447), registered now, S/N 8479, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8479
- Year built: 1946
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Destination: STS, Santa Rosa, CA
- Airport: 0Q5, Shelter Cove, runway 12/30, 3,407 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: FOT, 37 nm away

## Other investigations on N89447 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX86LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA115), Feb 8, 1986: Cessna 140 (N89447), Rancho Murieta, CA, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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