Plane missing from Shelter Cove

[Peter Anderson]

Looks like they took off at around 9pm on the 24th of October. Families of the missing are still searching.


https://www.mendovoice.com/2019/10/...-flight-last-seen-in-shelter-cove-october-24/


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[SFDukie]

I don't think anyone updated with the NTSB final report-issued in 2022.

On October 24, 2019, about 2123 Pacific daylight time, Piper PA-28R-180, N4958J, was involved in an accident near Shelter Cove, California. Neither the private pilot and passenger nor the airplane have been located.

The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of FederalRegulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight.A witness at the Shelter Cove Airport (0Q5), Shelter Cove, California, reported that she observed the airplane depart about 2100 and noted that it was completely dark with no visiblehorizon. After the airplane lifted off the runway it made a left turn.No record of a preflight weather briefing, nor air traffic servicers were located, and no flightplan was filed. The airplane did not arrive at its destination, Gnoss Field Airport (DVO),Novato, California, and was reported overdue by family.On November 3, 2019, the search for the missing airplane was suspended; there was nowreckage debris located during the search.The Federal Aviation Administration found no evidence of automated dependent-surveillance broadcast information transmitted from the airplane. Air traffic control flight track datarevealed that the accident airplane first appeared in track data about 2.8 nautical milessoutheast of Shelter Cove about 2104 and over the ocean. The airplane was at an indicated altitude of about 3,325 ft mean sea level (msl) and was transmitting a beacon code of 1200. Theairplane maneuvered and made a right 360o turn followed by a left 360o turn. It then reversedcourse, conducted a figure-eight turn, and headed south-southeast bound, gradually climbing to about 6,000 ft msl before entering a left descending turn and rapidly losing altitude. Thetrack data indicated that the airplane descended from about 5,800 ft to 2,850 ft msl in the last24 seconds of recorded track data. The track data was lost about 2123.

departed well after sunset (app 18:30 local)

Record of Telephone InterviewsN4958J - PA-28R-180

Aircraft reported missing after departing Shelter Cove Airport on 10/24/2019 between2045 and 2100PDT.Pilot/Owner Justin R Winfrey (Private # )Passenger Kayla RodriguezNews reports based on interviews with family, friends, and other witnesses indicate JustinWinfrey departed Gnoss Field, Novato at approximately 1800PDT on 10/24/2019 enrouteto Shelter Cove, CA with his friend Kyla Rodriguez. Their plan was to have dinner atShelter Cove and return later the same evening to Novato.There are no records of preflight weather briefings or any FAA Air Traffic Services.Oakland FSDO IIC has contacted ATO QC for any radar data. We do not have anycertified weather data for Shelter Cove for the date/time of the occurrence.At approximately 1900PDT, Cory Green of Shelter Cove reported observing an aircraftcircling over the airport and made contact using a hand held radio. The pilot (Winfrey)requested assistance and Green along with his parents proceeded to the Shelter Coverunway and provided light using their headlights. N4958J reportedly landed (hardlanding) and made contact with Green who stated that Winfrey seemed “kind of shaky”,“uneasy”. The passenger did not appear concerned.

(Source News Story Kym Kemp,North Coast Journal)Ms. Julie Peacock is manager of Gyppo Ale House located in Shelter Cove () and she reported by telephone that Winfrey and Rodriguez arrived at her location1930PDT and stayed until 2045PDT. She verified the time using her restaurant CCTVvideo system and its time stamp. She stated that an employee reported that Winfreyconsumed a non-alcoholic Ice Tea and Rodriguez ordered a wine, which she partiallyconsumed. They did not order food.Randy Walter, a resident of Shelter Cove reported that a female acquaintance(Maureen/no last name or phone provided) observed an aircraft getting ready to depart Shelter Cove at approximately 2100PDT and she noted it was completely dark with nohorizon. He told Walter she was concerned about safety and considered proceeding to the pilot to advise not taking off. She hesitated because she thought he might be instrument rated and might be offended by her advice. She is reportedly a pilot and I amtrying to contact her for a statement.

 

[SFDukie]

Tony Hann is the owner of Infinite Air Center located in Albany, OR ( ). I interviewed Mr. Hann by telephone and he reported that Mr. Winfrey first contacted the company in August 2018 inquiring about primary flight training. Hann offers an“accelerated Private Pilot course”, Part 61 and Winfrey started training in August 2018.He rented a studio provided by the school and stayed in Albany through March of 2019 when he passed his practical test. Mr. Hann reported becoming close friends with Mr. Winfrey and staying in touch with him after training. He advised that Mr. Winfrey was in the funeral business and became involved in flying with the potential of using aircraft in his business (possibly concerning the transport of deceased persons/ scattering ashes).In July of 2019, Mr. Winfrey approached Mr. Hann about purchasing an aircraft and learned the school’s Piper Arrow was for sale. Mr. Winfrey rented N4958J during July and flew it for 28.6 hours basing at Gnoss Field in Novato, CA. He completed purchase of the aircraft on 8/15/2019. He received training and a complex airplane endorsemen tafter approximately 8-10 hours of training (Devin Burroughs and Craig Ulrich). There were no anomalies reported in his upgrade to the Arrow. CFI Devin Burroughs provided Mr. Winfrey with his private pilot training. He reportedthat his student was conscientious and consistent throughout but struggled with technical tasks such as landings, route/destination orientation, and other technical issues. He did successfully complete his training and met ACS standards at completion. He had no difficulty with night flying or flight by reference to instruments during his training. CFI Burroughs had no concerns about risk management and considered Mr. Winfrey to be a cautious pilot. He mentioned that Mr. Winfrey had a personality trait of being eager to please others and possibly adverse to disappointing friends. CFI Burroughs speculatesthat this trait may have been a factor in Mr. Winfrey’s decisions on 10/24. He may have disregarded or been unaware of the dangers of flying into Shelter Cove due to eagerness to please his passenger. Mr. Winfrey mentioned Shelter Cove as a possible destination inhis discussions with CFI Burroughs. This was in the context of flights he might take after achieving his pilot certificate

.N4958J was owned and operated by Infinite Air Center prior to the sale. It receivedPitot/Static/Transponder Checks on 3/29/2019 and an annual inspection on 4/02/2019. It had low utilization in 2019 due to the FAA change in aircraft requirements for Commercial Pilot certification. Mr. Hann reported that the vacuum pump on N4958Jfailed after the aircraft was sold and moved to California. Mr. Winfrey reportedly flew with an inoperative vacuum system for a period of time prior to it being replaced by Scanlon Aviation in Novato, CA. Infinite Air Center has maintenance records available(applicable up to the date of sale). All other logbooks and maintenance records were transferred to Mr. Winfrey.

Lisa Dahl is the Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) who administered his practical test for Private Pilot in Salem Oregon. The first test occurred in January 2019 and resulted in a Notice of Disapproval due to Airport Operations and Takeoffs/Landings. DPE Dahlreported he had unsatisfactory orientation during approach to the airport followed by landing(s) that did not meet standards.Lisa Dahl is the Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) who administered his practical test forPrivate Pilot in Salem Oregon. The first test occurred in January 2019 and resulted in aNotice of Disapproval due to Airport Operations and Takeoffs/Landings. DPE Dahl reported he had unsatisfactory orientation during approach to the airport followed by landing(s) that did not meet standards. His performance indicated possible deficiencies on the risk associated with these areas of operation. He subsequently passed the Private

I interviewed Maureen Hogan, a resident of Shelter Cove ( on 11/20/2019 by telephone. Ms Hogan told me she lives next to Shelter Cove Airport and has a view of the parking ramp from the deck of her residence. On the evening of 10/24/2019, at approximately 2100PDT, Ms Hogan reportedgoing out on her deck and observing several persons at an aircraft parked on the ramp, by her estimateseveral hundred feet from her location. She could not hear their conversation nor could she identifythem. She became alarmed when she realized they intended to fly under conditions she described as“total darkness” and “no visible horizon”. Ms Hogan is an inactive pilot with experience flying at ShelterCove and believed a flight under these conditions would be dangerous. She considered proceeding tothis aircraft to warn the pilot against taking off. She estimated it would take her several minutes toeither walk or drive to the ramp (would have involved proceeding to a ramp access point). Shehesitated after considering the pilot might be instrument rated and/or the flight might an emergencyoperation. Soon after first observing the aircraft, she observed it taxi to Runway 30 and takeoff with a left turn after liftoff. She observed the landing light was illuminated but not the Nav/Position lights. Shestated that the engine sound faded off and she returned to her house and learned of the missing PA-28the next day. She stated she was unaware of its arrival earlier the evening of 10/24/2019 and her observations were limited to the departure which she estimated was approximately 2100PDT or shortlythereafter.Note: Ms Hogan expressed regret that she did not proceed on her first instinct to warn the pilot. Thishas caused her difficulty sleeping and she advised her regret might last for the remainder of her life. I thanked her for her witness statement and assured her she was in no way responsible for the accident.The pilot made the decision and she should try and dispel any guilt or concern regarding her actions and

apologies for the formating, or lack thereof. I came across this-a story I followed initially, but hadn't followed up on. I had a peripheral association with the passenger. Tragic, of course. Airport closed to night ops, non instrument rated pilot, no visible horizon, 7 months after PPC, no visible horizon.

 

[WDD]

Kind of sobering to think that even in this day and age, you can go down in an aircraft in the continental US and never be seen again. I'm reminded of the story of business jet that went down (in Maine?) years ago and it took years to find the wreckage, not far from the airport. Sad for the families not having that closure.

 

[Silvaire]

There is a reason they call it "the lost coast" Extremely rugged and densely forested, if there are Bigfoot that's where you'd find them