Early Morning Crash
In a heart-wrenching incident early Saturday morning, a small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood near Portland International Airport in Oregon, causing a significant fire and leaving local residents in shock. The crash occurred in Fairview, where the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office reported that the aircraft, a twin-engine Cessna 421C, collided with a power pole before crashing into a row of townhomes.
Extent of the Damage
The impact of the crash ignited a massive blaze that engulfed several homes in the area. Dramatic videos from the scene show thick smoke and flames visible over the tree line in Fairview. Emergency response teams, including Portland Fire, Gresham Fire, Clackamas Fire, Vancouver Fire, Portland Airport Fire, AMR, and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, quickly arrived to battle the blaze and manage the aftermath.
Investigation Underway
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crash happened around 10:30 a.m. local time on August 31st. While the FAA has confirmed the type of aircraft involved, they have yet to determine how many people were on board. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident, with the NTSB leading the inquiry and promising to provide updates as they become available.
Emergency Response and Power Outages
The Port of Portland confirmed the crash occurred near Troutdale Airport around 10:20 a.m. They dispatched a crash vehicle and a battalion chief to support the response efforts. The Gresham Fire Department has been designated as the lead agency on the scene.
In addition to the immediate devastation, the crash has caused a significant power outage affecting approximately 9,000 people in the area. Portland General Electric is working to restore power as quickly as possible.
Community Impact
The incident occurred close to Troutdale Airport, a smaller facility known for flight training and recreational flying. As investigations continue, the community is left to grapple with the impact of this tragic event.
Stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available.