The Grant County Sheriff's Office confirmed the death of James Bailey Maxwell, a 74-year-old air tanker pilot, following the crash of his aircraft late Thursday night. Maxwell, a seasoned aviator with over half a century of flying experience, met his fate while battling a wildfire in the Malheur National Forest, near the Falls Fire by Seneca, Oregon. KGW first identified Maxwell following the tragic incident.
Reports from the Federal Aviation Administration indicate that Maxwell's single-engine Air Tractor 802A plummeted around 11:30 p.m. The crash site, positioned in challenging, wooded terrain, was located Friday morning after search efforts the previous night had been halted, the Bureau of Land Management informed KOIN. Hoping to find Maxwell alive suspended at nightfall, the search was devastatingly resumed the following day.
In a display of solidarity and reverence, a procession consisting of firefighters and law enforcement wound its way through the Malheur National Forest to honor the veteran pilot on Saturday. The exact circumstances leading to Maxwell's crash remain under investigation, and while his extensive experience—54 years in the cockpit and about 24,000 hours of flight time—was highlighted. "The Maxwell family and firefighters are grateful for the support being expressed throughout the community and online," the U.S. Forest Service stated in a social media post, as covered by KATU.
The Maxwell family has requested privacy during this period of mourning, and dates for memorial services are yet to be announced.
