Authorities Unable to Identify Two Found Dead in Airplane Crash
Press release from Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:
On 10-20-2023 at 6:00 PM, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a reported airplane crash at a rural location in the 21000 block of Airport Road in Covelo, CA.
A short time later, Deputies were informed the airplane was on fire and the fire was spreading into nearby vegetation.
Personnel from Cal Fire, United States Forestry Service, California Highway Patrol, and Round Valley Tribal Police Department responded to the crash scene as well.
Once the fire was contained, Deputies began searching the debris field. Deputies located the bodies of two deceased individuals who remain unidentified at this time due to the conditions of their bodies.
Deputies initiated a Coroner’s Investigation specific to Aircraft Accident protocols and contacted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The circumstances/cause of the crash is currently being investigated by NTSB investigators who were making arrangements to respond to the crash scene upon being notified of the incident by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Division will continue Coroner’s Investigation in conjuction with the NTSB investigation.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators are urged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center by calling 707-463-4086.
Earlier: Airplane Engulfed in Flames After Crashing at Covelo Airport
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I thought airplanes always had to file a flight plan before they took off?
I wonder if they had pounds or cash on board?
They do not have to file a flight plan if it is under VFR (Visual Flight Rules).
Right,don’t have to file a flight plan. But it is a good idea to do so anyway. There were times that I was glad we did!
They might have been trying to get in/out without any record…
Or not
I cannot understand why they took off in a westerly direction, into an obstacle – the hills – when there was absolutely no head wind to counter. Pilots using common sense would know to fly east, so if there is an engine failure they can readily set down in a field. I guess we will never know what happened. So sad.
Your comment makes perfect sense to me. I sure hope the FAA and NTSB will be able to fit the puzzle pieces together and learn the cause of the crash. My heart breaks for those two people and their families and friends. May the two RIP and fly with the Angels.
thank you 🩷
You are very welcome.
Some One knows what the deal is – the plane is missing from somewhere as are the two individual. It may take time but hopefully loved ones will start asking questions soon enough. Unless the whole thingis nefarious, i.e. stolen plane clandestine operations. We knew out family memeber and out plane was missing but it took us 30 days to locate. 2 weeks of Civil Air Patrol completely missed it only 3 minutes or so from the airport. We hired aprivate helicopter out of Gasque ro search (again) ourselves.
I’m the son of the pilot. My father was a professional commercial pilot of 30 years and probably the most detailed, careful, meticulous pilot on the planet. There was nothing nefarious about the situation. They were on their way to Shelter Cover for the weekend and stopped at the airport for a bathroom break and to let the fog clear up. That was the last we heard from him.
I am truly sorry that you lost your father in that accident. He sounds like a top-notch pilot, and as you say, was meticulous about the plane. Something must have happened that was out of his control while in the air. May they RIP.
Curious they don’t mention make and model of the plane either.
It could be due to the plane is in just too many pieces at this time, but it is just a guess on my part.
High wing, low wing should be able to tell that. I’m guessing single engine but ????
The FAA and NTSA I am sure will be able to tell.
My question is did it smell like weed burning when the fire department arrived maybe a over load???
Your comment makes me sick. Show some respect for the two people that perished in that accident.
Definitely not the case at all. My aunt was the passenger in the plane. She was going on a fun vacation with her boyfriend, and something happened. It’s still being investigated. But I know they weren’t doing any drugs. Maybe you should think before commenting something like this.
I’m sorry for your loss. Sorry that you and the pilots son have to hear the peanut galleries heartless comments.
Not worth the fuel cost alone.
You’re a troll. Go away.
This plane flew out of garberville and seems to drop off of the radar, looking at the flight aware replay you have to look at UTC time … registered out of Mt. in June of this year… N8248k
wow that’s so sketch .. like the flight plan to shelter cove was a total fake out, came in to the destination and then tree-topped it back to round valley. Something fishy going on here.
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N8248K
Time to call in Juan Browne
Nothing fishy. Just my dad taking his girlfriend out on a trip. Idk why he crashed idk why he was an idiot but I’ll tell you one thing he wasn’t doing any drugs that’s not who he is.
So sorry for your loss
/respect
My condolences
I am so sorry you lost your dad and his girlfriend in that accident. I never gave drugs a thought. May they RIP.
The pilot is an amazing, caring family man and an amazing pilot and Captain! He was kind and loving to everyone he met. His family has lost everything in this accident and so did his companions. Please show respect for his kids who now have lost their mother and now their father.
I’m so sorry Shaun. Vaughn was a good friend and one of the best men I knew. He was a very experienced and careful pilot, and definitely not an idiot. He will be missed. I’m sorry for your family loss.
Shaun, give no attention to people on the internet who are trolls, and think they sound cool/funny at the expense of somebody’s tragedy without any knowledge of what they are saying. They hide behind anonymity, and should shut the hell up. IGNORE it!. It’s not worth it.
I think shelter cove was too foggy so opted for garberville…
Terrorists
Your comment is way out of line and just plain rude. If that is all you have to say about the two people that perished in that accident, please, just shut the hell up!!!
Thank you, Martin, well said.
Attention kym. Inappeopriaye
Im not sure why you would think this, but you must need some serious help for thinking this way. I hope that you can find peace in your heart someday. Real people lost their loved ones and friends, show some respect.
Rickpaul your ignorance is showing. How about you keep your stupid comments off this site…
DNA will tell
Sorry for the families. Sudden death of loved ones is always devastating. Peace be with you.
I also know the pilot and the family. He was loved and respected in the community. He was responsible, professional, kind, and good. We are all devastated by his loss and the impact it will have on his children.
Kym, I think out of respect for the families and friends involved it is time to put this article to rest. I hope you agree. Thanks.
Some of these comments are as out of taste, and speculated, as CNN and MSNBC are now. Just say something with no knowledge and understanding!