A tragic plane crash occurred in Fairview, Oregon, on Saturday, resulting in the loss of three lives and igniting a fire that spread through several townhomes. The incident took place near Troutdale Airport, a facility primarily used for flight training and recreational purposes.
According to local reports from KATU-TV, the plane crashed into the row of townhouses, setting them ablaze. Initial reports from officials at the scene indicated that the plane was carrying two people, and at least one resident was unaccounted for. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a twin-engine Cessna 421C went down around 10:30 am local time. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will jointly investigate the cause of the crash, with the NTSB leading the investigation.
Videos of the incident quickly spread online, showing the aftermath of the crash and the ensuing fire. Scott Lewis, chief of the nearby Gresham fire department, reported that the fire spread from two units to four, requiring the evacuation of five families from the area. The incident also resulted in two injuries.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) about the crash, stating: “A small aircraft has crashed into a residential neighborhood in Fairview. PIO is responding. The media staging area is NE Sandy and Fairview Parkway.”
John Plock, a public information officer from the sheriff’s office, held a news conference and revealed that the initial distress call came in at 10:20 am. He mentioned reports of plumes of black smoke coming from the region. Plock further stated that during the crash, the plane hit a power pole or tower, causing it to fall over. The aircraft subsequently crashed into the townhomes, setting them on fire. Reports indicate that the plane was broken into multiple parts upon impact.
While the authorities continue their investigation, the full extent of the damage and injuries remains unknown. The Port of Portland’s website describes Troutdale Airport as a “flight training and recreational airport.” As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge regarding the cause of the crash and its devastating consequences.
