A small Oregon community is reeling after a plane crash on Saturday morning that claimed the lives of three people and destroyed several homes. The twin-engine Cessna 421C went down around 10:30 a.m. in Fairview, a residential area located east of Portland, near Troutdale Airport. The crash set off a fire that quickly spread through a row of townhouses, leaving a trail of destruction.
Gresham Fire Chief Scott Lewis reported that at least four homes were engulfed in flames, displacing up to six families. The fire was so intense that two people were treated for injuries at the scene, though details about the nature of their injuries remain unclear. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that two people were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash, and one resident was initially reported as missing. Authorities later confirmed that three people died as a result of the crash.
In addition to the devastation caused to the townhouses, the plane’s impact brought down a utility pole and power lines, sparking a brush fire in a nearby field. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office described the crash as catastrophic, with the plane breaking into multiple pieces upon impact.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash. Two investigators have been dispatched to the scene to document the wreckage and piece together what led to the tragedy. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and officials have yet to release further details.
The crash occurred near Troutdale Airport, a facility used primarily for flight training and recreational aviation, according to the Port of Portland. The incident has left the community of Fairview, home to around 10,000 residents, in shock as they deal with the loss and devastation caused by this tragic event.
