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This is an archive article published on September 1, 2024

Small plane crashes into townhouses near Portland, leaving one resident missing

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a twin-engine Cessna 421C, which reportedly went down just before 10:30 a.m. near Troutdale Airport, approximately a 30-minute drive east of Portland.

Portland plane crashThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident, but has not yet commented, as they are still gathering information. (Representational/ File Photo)

A small plane, believed to have been carrying two people, crashed into a row of townhouses on Saturday morning in a neighbourhood east of Portland, sparking a fire that engulfed several homes and leaving at least one resident unaccounted for, as reported by Associated Press.

Gresham Fire Chief Scott Lewis, speaking at an afternoon briefing, said he could not yet confirm if there were any fatalities. He said that firefighters were contending with significant structural damage to the townhouses caused by the crash. “We are working around major structural damage,” Lewis said, indicating the extent of the devastation.

Photographs and videos published by KGW-TV in Portland showed one townhouse completely engulfed in flames, with black smoke billowing from the adjacent homes.

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According to Lewis, the fire spread to at least four homes, displacing up to six families. Two people were treated at the scene, though Lewis did not specify the nature or severity of their injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a twin-engine Cessna 421C, which reportedly went down just before 10:30 a.m. near Troutdale Airport, approximately a 30-minute drive east of Portland.

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As the plane approached the ground, it collided with a pole and power lines, sparking a separate brush fire in a nearby field, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. The impact caused the plane to break apart and crash into a residential area in Fairview, scattering debris.

The first report of the fire came from Troutdale Airport’s control tower staff, who saw a thick plume of smoke rising into the air. However, there was no distress call or mayday signal from the aircraft before the crash, according to Lewis.

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident, but has not yet commented, as they are still gathering information. Troutdale Airport, where the plane took off, is a small airport used for flight training and recreational purposes, according to the Port of Portland’s website, reported by AP.

(with inputs from AP)

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