Families of Two Missing in Suspected Plane Crash Suspend Search
Kayla Rodriguez and Justin Winfrey
The families of two people last seen alive just before the plane they were in took off from Shelter Cove on October 24 have suspended their search for their loved ones.
Kayla Rodriguez and Justin Winfrey flew in after 7 p.m. to Shelter Cove. According to Cory Green, a resident of the area and a pilot, he saw their plane circle the runway after dark that evening. The airport isn’t meant for night landings so there are no lights.
“I used my handheld [radio] and made contact,” Green said. “I asked [the pilot] if he was in distress.” Green said that Winfrey told him he needed help so he and his parents drove down to the runway and parked with their lights on it to assist Winfrey with landing.
Green said Winfrey had a rough set down. But he and Rodriguez exited the plane safely. “I could tell he was kind shaky,” Green said. “I didn’t know if he didn’t want to admit making a bad decision in front of his passenger, but I could see he was uneasy…I don’t think she thought there was anything out of normal.”
He offered the two a ride, but they said they were going to Gyppo Ale Mill.
“Just shy of 9 o’clock, we heard the plane take off again,” Green said.
When the two didn’t return home, family and friends started investigating. They learned from authorities that radar last showed the plane several miles west of land over the Pacific Ocean roughly about 9:15 p.m.
The families and friends put up a valiant effort to find their loved ones. They blanketed social media and worked with everyone who might be able to help but, they were unable to find any trace.
Last night, according to a family member, they “got final radar data from the Airforce that confirms that the plane did nosedive into the ocean around the location of the last radar ping. Likely spatial disorientation given how dark it was.”
Each of the two families posted on a Facebook page devoted to finding Rodriguez and Winfrey.
As part of a longer piece, the Winfrey family posted, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the search efforts for Justin & Kayla have been suspended. Our families sincerely appreciate the love and support you all have shown during this difficult time. We ask for privacy as we grieve the loss of two very loved individuals.”
The Rodriguez family wrote in part, “We cannot begin to express our appreciation for the love, support, and compassion we have been shown during this most difficult time…This has been one of the hardest and the most loved filled experiences of our lives. The outpouring of kindness, compassion, love, and generosity over these last 12 days has been surreal.”
Earlier Chapters:
- Missing Plane Last Known to Be North of Fort Bragg; Father Asks Community’s Help
- Family and Friends of Two Missing in Plane off Coast of Mendocino and Humboldt Counties Ask for Help
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Sad…
Props to Cory Green and family for their part in a tragedy that could have been averted and ended with a toast and a cold beer.
Very sorry to read this for the friends and family. Thanks to all who helped.
Sending my deepest, heartfelt condolences to their loved ones. They sounded like two very kind, upstanding people. I hope they are resting peacefully where ever they may be.
VFR into IMC gets a lot of pilots every year… but we probably won’t know anything until the NTSB gets a report out, if they even can figure out what happened. Could be spatial disorientation, could be flying while impaired or distracted, could have been mechanical failure, could have been any one of a dozen other things too.
Thank you to the entire Shelter Cove community for their love and support through this difficult time.
Condolences to their loved ones. We were all hoping for a better outcome.
Many many accidents are caused by medical emergencies. A sudden strong heart attack or aneurysm can knock someone unconscious very quickly.
Im sure Cory feels bad enough, throwing blame is beyond unfair. Im sure his family warned the pair.
Taking off from an unlit runway does not seem the best plan. Not trying to be mean just real, we all make mistakes, &lots of us have had close calls.
Ah the reminder,
how precious esch moment is.
I don’t get it. He decided to make a very sketchy landing and risked their lives just to go have dinner (and more than likely a few beers) at the brewery? I’m sure the waiter/waitress knows if he had anything to drink. Does Mr. Green know if he refueled or had some kind of mechanical issue that made him want to attempt such a dangerous landing?
Let it go NoBody.
The only thing you need to get is that the loved ones of these 2 friends have decided to give up hope and to let them go. It’s really painful to try to imagine what they’re going through.
I truly hope they’re able to recover quickly from this.
So sad.
He consumed no alcohol, according to the Gyppo Ale staff. He had hibiscus tea.
most pilots I know are pretty serious about their wings.
prayers to the families.
tragedies happen to good people too.
White light around the family & friends of what sounds like two very sweet people. The world is poorer from their leaving it.
Very sad news. My most sincere condolences to their families and friends. May they RIP. I pray that their bodies will be recovered at some point in time, bringing closure to the families. God Bless.
Knowing that he landed at a VFR runway after dark he should have got a room for the evening, and taken off the next morning, NOT taken off at 9:00 PM. If anyone does this and you see it, report the tail numbers to the FAA.
VFR night operations are perfectly legal, with additional aircraft and pilot requirements, but he should have done enough research to make sure the airport he was heading to had appropriate lighting. Night VFR over water is often considered a really bad idea, even if legal, due to lack of ground lights to keep you orientated. If high clouds obscure the stars and moon, you can literally have no idea which way is up, if you aren’t both in an aircraft with appropriate instruments and already skilled in their use. The risk of continuing into IMC is also really high, especially with the coastal fog. Don’t forget that in an airplane, straight and level flight, and an upside down nosedive into the ocean, feel exactly the same. If you can’t see any lights outside to tell you which is which, …
I’m sure the NTSB will investigate and try to figure out how it happened.
I am a friend of Justin’s in San Francisco, I just wanted to send my heartfelt thanks to the people of Shelter Cove, the pilots and fisherman that helped with the search for Justin & Kayla.
A special thanks to Kym Kemp for staying with this tragic story and getting the word out. There are truly great and kind people everywhere.
Thank you again,
S.F. Steve