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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On August 17, at about 3:21 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of Mal Coombs Park in Shelter Cove for the report of a small aircraft accident.

According to the reporting party, the aircraft crashed into the water approximately 100 yards offshore. Shelter Cove Fire, CAL FIRE, and the U.S. Coast Guard were also dispatched to the scene. Shelter Cove Fire personnel were the first to arrive and located two adult male occupants of the aircraft in the water. Both individuals were able to exit the plane prior to rescue.

Shelter Cove Fire personnel quickly deployed into the water, recovered the victims, and provided emergency medical care. One victim was stabilized at the scene and transported by air ambulance to an out-of-area hospital with major injuries. The second victim was pronounced deceased at the scene and was released to the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

A preliminary investigation indicates the plane took off from the Shelter Cove Airport, turned west, and shortly after plunged into the ocean. Both occupants are believed to be out-of-county residents.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is working in partnership with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate this incident. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Shelter Cove Fire Department, CAL FIRE, the U.S. Coast Guard, the NTSB, and the FAA for their assistance and collaborative response.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251.