Authorities in Oregon have identified the three victims of a tragic small plane crash near Portland. The victims have been named as pilot Michael Busher, 73; flight instructor Jacqueline Whitford, 79; and Fairview resident Barbara MacDonald, 75.
The incident occurred last Saturday morning in the city of Fairview, approximately 30 minutes east of downtown Portland. The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the Cessna 421C crashed after experiencing 'controllability' issues during a maintenance test flight, just five minutes after taking off from the Troutdale Airport.
The plane collided with a row of townhomes in Fairview, causing significant damage. Gresham Fire Chief Scott Lewis stated that three townhomes were destroyed, with the second unit being the primary point of impact. Barbara MacDonald was a resident of one of the affected townhomes.
Upon arrival at the crash site, law enforcement officers found multiple townhomes engulfed in flames. They swiftly evacuated residents and worked to contain the fires using garden hoses until firefighters arrived on the scene.
The plane's descent also resulted in the toppling of a pole and power lines, sparking a separate brush fire in a nearby field. The aircraft broke into multiple parts upon impact in the residential area.
Troutdale Airport, where the ill-fated flight originated, is described as a facility catering to flight training and recreational aviation by the Port of Portland, which oversees operations in the region.
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken charge of the investigation into the crash, with an estimated timeline of up to a year and a half to complete the inquiry.
