Three people were killed when a small plane crashed into a townhouse in a residential area of East Portland on Saturday morning, causing the home to burst into flames, authorities said. KATU-TV.
Authorities said the same day that two people were on board the plane and that at least one resident was missing.
Published photos and videos KGW-TV in Portland One townhouse was seen engulfed in flames and black smoke was seen billowing from an adjacent home.
Gresham Fire Chief Scott Lewis said the fire spread to at least four homes, forcing the evacuation of up to six families.
He said two people were treated at the scene, but did not disclose the type or severity of their injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the plane as a twin-engine Cessna 421C and said it crashed about 10:30 a.m. near Troutdale Airport, about a 30-minute drive east of Portland.
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office said the plane crash downed power poles and wires, sparking another wildfire in a nearby field.
The plane crashed into several pieces in a residential area of Fairview, a city with a population of about 10,000.
Lewis said the first call about the fire came from air traffic control tower personnel at Troutdale Airport, who saw thick smoke rising into the air.
But Lewis said initial reports indicated “there was no mayday or emergency call” from the plane itself before the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the crash.
Department spokesman Peter Knudson said the agency had sent two investigators to the crash site to document the wreckage, but he declined to provide further details about the crash.
The Port of Portland, which oversees general aviation and marine operations in the Portland region, describes Troutdale Airport as a “flight training and recreational airport” on its website.
