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Subscribe to RSSA small plane crashed soon after taking off from a private airstrip in Oregon timber country Saturday and killed all four people on board, authorities said.
The small plane went down around 3:10 p.m. in a rural area west of Eugene, according to the Lane County Sheriff's Office.
Citing witness reports, authorities said the plane began to lose altitude shortly after take-off and hit a large tree that Lane County District No. 1 Fire Chief Terry Ney said tore off a wing of the aircraft.
The single-engine Cessna landed upside down, Ney said. Fire authorities pronounced the four people inside the aircraft dead at the scene.
Details about the victims and their names were being held pending notification of next of kin.
The National Transportation Safety Board was en route Saturday to investigate the crash while the sheriff's office helped secure the scene.
Lane County records show the airstrip where the plane took off is owned by Conrad Magnuson and known as Crow-Mag Airport, according to a report by Mark Baker in the Eugene Register-Guard.
The newspaper said Magnuson declined to be interviewed when approached at his home.
“It’s going to take heavy tools to get them out of there,” Lane County District No. 1 Fire Chief Terry Ney said of the victims. The small plane “for whatever reason didn’t clear the woods,” Ney said.
Nearby resident Debbie Parker told the newspaper she had just gotten home Saturday afternoon and was unloading groceries when she heard the plane overhead.
“Didn’t sound real strong,” Parker said, sitting on her deck. “And then I heard it crash.”
Some people associated with the nearby Oregon Country Fair property came by Saturday and thought the crash victims might be associated with the fair, she added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Condolences to the family(s).
CFIT. sad sorry for the families.
CFIT, really? Did you see the crash? Ever hear of CFIT an airport environment that isn't a "Jackass" stunt? Witness statements in the story would make a mechanical issue more likely. Since the rnwy is 3200 ft and 450 ft MSL, density altitude issues are not likely unless the plane was very heavy...
That is horrible! I just went to Eugene (by flight) and I cannot believe this happened. You would think, being so close to the ground, that there would be a few survivors. I hope they died on impact and didn't lay there suffering. This is just awful!
I've noticed that - so many crashes near the ground.
Mid air collisions are rare. Even in a mid air, the last impact is the ground. So, yes all aircraft seem to crash into the ground...Take off and landing are the most dangerous portions of any flight.
Why did the NTSB walk away from Safety Recommendation A-83-6 twenty five years ago?
What happened to FAA Safety Recommendations 99.283 and 99.284 about undetectable water in Cessna aircraft fuel tanks?
Why did the NTSB ignore my petition about UNDETECTABLE WATER in the fuel tanks of Cessna aircraft?
Why does SAIB CE-10-40R1 not mention anything about positive detection of water in the fuel tanks of Cessna aircraft?
How many more pilots and passengers have to die for the NTSB to do a real world test on a Cessna aircraft for positive detection of water in their fuel tanks?
I would be happy to provide the drop of red food color and ten ounces of water. I will also provide the aircraft for your test!
NTSB your poor "investigations" are killing pilots and passengers!
Pending the discovery of a catastrophic engine failure could it have been undetectable water in the fuel tank that caused this crash?
Aircraft engines run on a rather simple principal, it is air, spark and uncontaminated fuel.
Do you think the aircraft engine ran out of air after takeoff? Did you know that aircraft engines have two spark plugs per cylinder. Aircraft engines have two magnetos which provide
redundant spark to all the spark plugs. Do you think the aircraft engine ran out of spark after takeoff? Only one things changes when the aircraft takes off and that is its attitude.
Is it possible when the aircraft takes off and changes it's attitude, water hiding in the fuel tank moves and makes its way to the engine?
The NTSB is acutely aware of undetectable water that hides in general aviation aircraft fuel tanks but the NTSB has chosen to ignore this life taking flaw for decades.
In my opinion, the NTSB can not investigate their way out of a paper bag.
Probably ran out of luck Bob. Why didn't they check that?
I am not an aircraft person but I do have a suggestion. Why not use a fuel/water separator between the gas tank and the carb's? That should remedy this type of situation since you need to check the oil during your pre-flight check anyway.
I apologize for being a smartass Bob. Your people went to much effort to demonstrate a problem.
In your case water, (which can form from condensation inside a less-than-full tank and always sinks to the bottom of fuel) was being isolated by reinforcement ribs within the tank. Even though a tank is drained preflight, water is still secluded in compartments but sloshed over the dam after motion. This would be much like an open boat where water could not drain back under the seats.
Sadly, the fix is a hole at the very bottom of the rib at the tank plane and if the flaw exists on a large scale it's no wonder nobody wants to know you. I imagine their answer is to park with full tanks.
The condensation that accumulates within a fuel system is removed two ways... One is the tank sumps and the other is the fuel bowl at the bottom of the fuel system. Since the fuel bowl is at the very bottom of the whole fuel system and water sinks rather than float it will collect in the fuel bowl. During a pre-flight inspection that fuel bowl is drained (via handle inside the cowling) to remove water and other dirt. Filling tanks at the end of the day will prevent condensation from accumulating in the fuel tanks on an aircraft that is sitting overnight. Pre take off engine run ups should help to catch problems during take off. This is coming from an A&P mechanic and pilot.
Headline says 4 killed after plane hits tree.
I would have expected the crash might kill them.
But, since the headline says they were killed AFTER the crash, the question arises --- who killed them?
Wasn't it bad enough they had been in a plane crash but somebody has to come along and kill them?
Who says education in America sucks?
Arizona Willie, how sad that you see an accident with lives lost as an opportunity to show your own concept of intelligence. Not cute, funny, or really very smart.
I don't think he was trying to be funny, I think he has the same criticsim we should all have: Why should people be paid as proffesional writers when they fail to write one sentence correctly? The majority of headlines are very poorly written.
MIdreamergal ... the point is the lack of education in the person allowed to write headlines creates a false impression.
The choice of the wrong word completely changes the word picture.
I feel sorry for the families who lost people. Nothing can be done about that.
But, this writer can be educated and taught to THINK when they write something.
WORDS MATTER.
As a " writer " they should well understand that.
"Four killed after plane hits tree, crashes on take-off in Oregon"
In the abbreviated sentence structure used in headlines, this is accurate. Besides that, the headline was most likely edited by the page layout editor and not the article's author.
Are you really trying to judge good grammar and thus education from an article's headline? There are so many better examples of this all over the internet.
biker4life ... sorry but the proper headline SHOULD have been " 4 killed WHEN plane crashes into tree ". Capitals added for emphasis ( mine ).
There is absolutely NO WAY that headline is correct.
It states the people were killed AFTER the plane crashed. Which is totally wrong.
You can try to defend poor English and sloppy writing all you want, but the rules of the English language are pretty well established and the definitions of AFTER and WHEN are quite different. I notice they pulled this article from the main page.
Just because sloppy English has become common doesn't make using it right. Especially in a major online publication seen by tens of thousands.
There was a day when the person who wrote that headline would be looking for another job.
Sadly, their lousy writing probably will not be penalized at all.
Your sweating 'rules' Willie. Headlines have a long established, acceptable pattern of abbreviated sentences in order to get the minimal words with the maximum font size.
The way it is written the story is conveyed perfectly. My read on it was a plane hit a tree and crashed. People died. The 3rd and 4th sentences explains they hit the tree which broke off a wing, THEN the plane crashed and people died.
Of course you can go on and on about the grammar and technically you're right I suppose, but it has nothing to do with lack of education. If you respond back to argue again I'm just gonna let you have your way. Life's too short.
Arizona Willie: biker4life ... sorry but the proper headline SHOULD have been " 4 killed WHEN plane crashes into tree ". Capitals added for emphasis
Sorry, Willie. But that is incorrect. The plane didn't crash into the tree -- it only hit the tree during flight, breaking the wing off. It CRASHED into the ground, landing upside down.
Cheers!
Really? Most of the comments I'm reading here are about correct grammar and how poorly the writers incorrections were. Does it really matter right now? Those 4 people died on the airplane, loosing their lives like that! I'm NOT trying to say "Everyone who's judging the grammar should be ashamed of their selves", but please at least try to show some respect for the 4 people that died! For goodness sake, what if their was a child on there? Please show some manners. God bless the 4 people that died, I really hope they're in a well place.
First and foremost, ccondolences to the those that lost loved ones in this accident. Our family too enjoys travel in our small plane, and while very safety conscious we understand that there are risks. Seems we have lost several small aircraft recently, and we all need to pay attention to any lessons that can be learned from the accidents to help prevent future events like this. All travel, by air or ground, can be risky. An aviators responsibility is minimize these as much as possible. But sometimes, no matter how careful, terrible things can happen.
I wonder how Scovill has determined that the cause was water in the fuel, without even having been there. It could have been any number of things that caused the failure. How about the mechanic did an oil change, but forgot to refill it with oil?. How about the 4 people on board were all 350-lb goliaths and the plane couldn't generate enough lift to clear the trees? How 'bout the fuel tank selector was in the middle position, and therefore no fuel tank was selected? How about maybe the pilot was distracted just long enough to fly into the tree? Maybe a downdraft? Murder/suicide? It was a terrible thing for the people and their families, but to jump on and expound upon an explanation just because of something you encountered in the past is unfair to the NTSB, the FAA, Cessna, and finally the pilot for not adequately rocking the plane before checking for water in the gas.
jerryb-1604912
Good post. I have flown many hours in single engine Cessnas. also Pipers. Overweight can be a killer as well as water in the fuel.
I ALWAYS made sure to check out everything that matters before taking off. Usually, taking off is easy, the plane wants to fly if trimmed properly.
I hate to see accidents as they tend to turn people away from flying. My medical has been revoked due to age, 80, but I occasionally go up with an instructor for an hour just to have the thrill. Landing is my favorite part of the event. We have a severe crosswing at the Maui airport so I have to be exact.
He didn't determine that, he pops up periodically here and there, preaching from this soapbox. I won't dismiss his thesis outright (there have been some issues in that arena, that's why new 172s have 13 fuel sumps), but I do question the effectiveness of his methods.
Decade after decade I see stories of plane hitting trees at the ends of runways. How long will it take until people decide the trees are a problem?
Who is this Robert Scoville and what is this safety recommendations 99.283 and 99.284. ? Is there not a drain relief for water in fuel? Sure hope it isn't the problem that brought down this plane.
What CAUSE for the crash will make you feel better about the crash...
I am a pilot myself and I have a Cessna 172. The plane was designed for four people that weigh 170lbs. each. Even at that parameter the conditions have to be perfect for four people at 170lbs. each. The Cessna 172 is a very safe plane if not over loaded. It is writen that the runway was plenty long enough, however if each person is ten pounds over weight the design parameters are breached and the pilot has now entered himself as a test pilot to the determent to his passengers, very unfortunate trip.
I agree with William, any time I hear of 4 souls in a 172 mishap with these parameters the first thought I have is weight and balance.
My experience has shown that a 172 (Skyhawk) is a 2-place airplane with four (4) seats. Or, four very small people.
As a former A&P, IA that spent many years in retrieving wrecked aircraft, I want to correct what the writer said about heavy equipment being necessary to retrieve the plane. It can be dismantled and removed piece by piece. I have retrieved aircraft from mountain tops, wilderness areas where we once used a mule train, and once carried the parts out on our backs. It is always sad when a family, or any person is killed, no matter how, and I also wish to offer my condolences to the family, or families of the victims
Pippo...I'm 73, been flying since 1959 and have most of my time in Cessnas. As part of the preflight check list I always pull the fuel strainer knob to check for water in the lines and, without fail, always check for water at the fuel tank sumps. Never once have I detected water in a Cessna fuel line or its fuel tanks.
FYI...I love cross-wind takeoffs and landings and, sorry about your medical.
Maybe Da Pilot just got done reading a “Sarah Palin” book….became Confused, Irrational and Lost his Mind. It seems to be a “Side Effect”.
You BetCha….Fer Sure.
Maybe you should go play in traffic moron...
You Betcha...Fer Sure
Not one person asked about the tree. Were there any spotted owls? There are a lot of unanswered questions here. It is a shame that four people died in that plane but I do agree with the criticism about the use in grammar for the headline.
Thats right. Out here in Oregon its us vs. the trees! Grab ur frickin chainsaws ppl! But seriously, my condolences to the family/s.
Robert Scoville..More often than not, the NTSB does excellent investigations,
and finds the true cause of actions. Cessna high-wing aircraft have wing drains,
and drains in the engine compartment which should always be checked before flight
by the Pilot in Command. We have tools, with clear plastic tubes for draining, and
checking for water in oil. Water being heavier than avgas, it is seen easily in the tube.
That, plus a good, long pre-flight inspection, engine run-up, and taxi for takeoff, usually is enough.
Whenever I hear of 4 people aboard a light aircraft, I immediately think: too much weight, improper
balance, trim, no use of takeoff-flap setting, etc.. I have seen over loaded Cessna's (and others),
so tailheavy due to baggage / passengers, that the pilot had to brake hard (forcing the nose down)
just to be able to get the nosewheel to turn !! With over 3,000' of runway, it could have been a gust-
lock on the elevator, missed during pre-flight..but I don't know..many possibilities. My guess would be
overweight, and no 10 degree of flaps used for takeoff. Time will tell.