Cessna pilot had control issues moments before deadly crash into Fairview townhouse
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The pilot of a small aircraft that crashed into a Fairview townhouse on Saturday reported having issues controlling the plane moments before the deadly incident, according to authorities on Tuesday morning.
The twin-engine Cessna 421C had two people on board when it plummeted around 10:20 a.m. on Saturday and both people aboard the plane died along with one person inside the townhouse.
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At least three families who were occupants of the adjacent townhomes were also displaced and have started GoFundMe campaigns.
Officials from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Gresham Fire, the City of Fairview, and the National Transport Safety Board gave their condolences to the community and families and then spoke about the crash.
- Firefighters look at the townhome that was destroyed as a result of the plane crash in Fairview. August 31, 2024 (courtesy Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office).
- Downed transmission power lines above a field near where a plane in Fairview crashed. August 31, 2024 (courtesy Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office).
- Firefighters discover the plane’s wheel in the debris after a crash in Fairview. August 31, 2024 (cortuesy Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office).
- Firefighters spray water from fire hoses onto a smoldering house after a plane crash in Fairview. August 31, 2024 (courtesy Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office).
According to the NTSB, the plane took off from Troutdale Airport around 10:20 a.m. on a maintenance test flight.
‘During the maintenance test flight, the pilot reported issues with controllability,” said NTSB Air Safety Investigator Michael Hicks. “What those issues are, we are going to find out.”
The plane crashed into the Fairview Terrace housing community, hitting a power pole and then a townhome.
According to Gresham Fire, the plane crashed into the second out of a row of eight townhomes.
During the fire that followed, the neighboring townhomes were destroyed and the fourth house was damaged.
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The identities of those killed are still being determined by the Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office and officials said they will be released at a later time.
Fairview Mayor Keith Kudrna said the city will continue supporting people impacted by the crash and rebuilding the community.
“We will continue to remain here for the residents of this community,” Kudrna said. “I’ve seen an outpouring of love and support out to the victims, and it makes me proud to represent them.”
As of Tuesday, two NTSB investigators were still at the scene of the crash collecting evidence like aircraft debris and identifying debris fields, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said. The investigation can take a long time, requiring combing through areas with fine detail.
NTSB officials said this investigation could take up to 18 months to complete.
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