Covelo Plane Crash Claims Lives of JetBlue Pilot and Partner: Young Families Seek Support through GoFundMe Campaigns
Jaime Rust from her Instagram page and Vaughn Porter from the family’s GoFundMe
Last Friday, on October 20, a Beechcraft A-36 plane crashed west of Covelo killing two individuals. The victims of this tragic incident have been identified as Utah residents, JetBlue pilot Vaughn Porter, 54, and his girlfriend, Jamie Redford Rust, 52. Families of both the victims have now posted GoFundMe campaigns to help cover the expenses arising from the deaths of their loved ones.
Vaughn Porter and Jamie Rust left Utah on a trip to Shelter Cove, California, departing from the Heber Valley Airport earlier on October 20. Rust posted that day on her Instagram account video from the takeoff and some shots from the early part of the flight as well as photos she added of Shelter Cove from some other source as they did not actually land at the rural Humboldt County airport due to fog.
KSL, a Utah TV station, reported on the circumstances of the crash. According to what the Porter family told them, Vaughn Porter and Jamie Rust landed at the Round Valley Airport, approximately 100 miles away from their intended destination, Shelter Cove, due to the fog. Tragically, they crashed shortly after take-off from Round Valley Airport where they are believed to have refueled.
According to KSL, Vaughn Porter was an experienced pilot with more than 30 years of flying experience, including over 15 years as a JetBlue pilot. The article states, “The Porter children also lost their mother to COVID-19 in January 2022. Now with the plane crash, the children are left parentless in the early years of their lives.”
The family told KSL, that Vaughn Porter’s father had also perished in a plane crash in the 1990s in Utah. Vaughn had purchased the same type of aircraft, a Beechcraft Bonanza, in homage to his late father.
To assist with the costs related to the loss of their loved ones, the Porter and Rust families have set up separate GoFundMe campaigns.
A GoFundMe page initiated by Shaun Porter, Vaughn’s son, seeks support to cover funeral expenses and facilitate the transportation of his father’s body to Utah, where he will be laid to rest beside his late wife. Vaughn leaves behind four children.
“We’re struggling to cover the costs of his funeral and transporting him from California to Utah, so he can be buried alongside our mother,” the fundraiser for Vaughn Porter states.
Jamie Rust is also remembered through a GoFundMe campaign organized by her family. According to the page, “Jaime leaves behind three children – two devoted sons who were on missions, and a beloved daughter who is married with two babies. As her family grieves this unimaginable loss, they are faced with the overwhelming burden of funeral expenses.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the crash, although specific details regarding the incident’s cause have not yet been disclosed.
Below a popular YouTuber, Juan Browne, who puts out videos about aviation topics uses his expertise to talk about what might have gone wrong during Vaughn and Jaime’s flight.
Here again are the GoFundMe’s for the family that contain photos and more information:
Earlier: Airplane Engulfed in Flames After Crashing at Covelo Airport
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Good run through but I think he landed in Garberville after diverting from Shelter Cove, did he fuel there? Not sure.. was heading to round valley perhaps in search of fuel…. ? My condolences….This playback has him take off from gville and never really land….
You are relying too much on flightradar24. It compiles data from the ADS-B (anti-collision) signal that the plane puts out. This signal can be lost or inaccurate as the plane flies low or behind mountains, especially up here.
Why not go to Willits or Ukiah instead if it was fuel they were after? Covelo doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Except if they felt it was more on their final destination flight path.
At least the ‘mystery’ was solved in a timely manner.
The Ukiah Airport is closed for repairs.
I saw that and thought maybe the transponder was moved to gville airport separately,maybe by FAA investigators.
Because he crashed so close to take off it could have been total engine failure. With a load of fuel he was most likely heavy also. Although if it was a Turbo engine failure unlikely.
I strongly recommend watching the attached excellent Utube video by someone who appears to be highly experienced in flying and knowledgeable about accident investigation. My sincere condolences to the family and loved ones for their loss.
Except the part where he says you should train your passenger to monitor gauges
JB knows his shit. Hell yeah your passenger should monitor gauges!… Look for other aircraft, make sure the pilot is conscious, shoot, maybe be vaguely familiar with how to land a plane…I would rather fly with an experienced passenger! As a passenger; are you ready to take ANY responsibility to help save you own life!?
Hell yeah teach your passengers to read those gauges and know what’s up!WhenI sat co-pilot I always paid attention.
Don’t fly JetBlue. Lol
What a horrible thing to say.
Your jackass comment is completely out of line and totally uncalled for. Show some love, kindness and respect from these two you folks that lost their lives in that accident, and all their family members and friends.
I feel for the gal. But the guy fucked up and now they are both dead. He was a JetBlue pilot that crashed in his own plane makes me not want to fly JetBlue. If the truth offends you maybe you should go to your safe space
That is a complete assumption on your part. He “fucked up” and somehow you KNOW that this is The Truth. How in God’s name would you know, were you there? And of course you realize that loved ones and friends are reading this. First thing that came to mind? Buddy, all I can say is you better get some help. Your comments tell us all we need to know about you. Pathetic.
@Joe
Consider watching the video discussing in detail the difference between flying an airliner backed up by an army of professionals planning every detail, and piloting a small plane cross country by oneself. It is a very different kettle of fish. This is a rare, terribly tragic outcome affecting a huge number of people that may never be the same. This article and comments are sitting in a room populated by several families in mourning. Kindly leave the keyboard warrior crap in your parent’s basement.
Joe, how can you feel bad for the gal, but not for the pilot. At this point I don’t think the FAA or NTSB has a clear-cut reason as to why the plane went down. Sadly, they both perished. At this point I would not hesitate to board a JetBlue plane and fly to my destination. You have no idea of the truth nor do I. My safe space is on a JetBlue plane. Please try to show some love and kindness for this young couple Joe, you will feel better.
Well here’s your problem, we don’t know if it’s pilot error until the NTSB releases their report, because there are other possibilities. Again with the pictures Kym.
What with the pictures?
First thing that came to mind
Double low life.
Maybe he shouldn’t have been flying if his dad died in a plane crash. Sounds like a curse ( freedom of speech)
Sometimes freedom of speech can be a curse!
Hiding behind internet made up names and mocking a person who just passed away is uncalled for, and very hurtful for those who personally knew both victims. Definitely hurtful to the Porter children who are still mourning the passing of their mother (from COVID). Decency knows no boundary and is widely accepted with the freedom of any speech.