A small plane crash near Sisters Eagle Airport ended with all three passengers narrowly avoiding serious injury. The incident, which happened just after 11 a.m. yesterday, saw the aircraft go down and subsequently catch fire shortly after takeoff. In response to the crash, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies, including Deputies Jared Bearson and Tanor Steinbrecher, were first to arrive at the scene, quickly being joined by Sergeant David Turkington and other personnel from the sheriff's office. They were to swiftly secure the area and assist those injured until fire response teams could take over.
According to a report by KOIN, fire crews from the Sisters-Camp Sherman and Cloverdale fire districts, along with the U.S. Forest Service, rapidly responded. Their efforts were crucial in preventing the blaze from spreading to the surrounding forest and nearby residential structures. The quick and coordinated actions between the different agencies contributed to the successful resolution of what could have otherwise escalated into a larger disaster.
Jason Carr, the public information officer for the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, lauded the collaborative effort. "This was a textbook example of interagency partnership," Carr proclaimed in a statement obtained by KTVZ. He continued, "Our deputies, local fire districts, and the U.S. Forest Service all worked together seamlessly to protect lives and keep the situation from escalating. We’re grateful everyone walked away safely."
The cause of the crash currently remains under investigation; the Federal Aviation Administration will take on the responsibility to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the event. The plane, as of now, will remain where it crashed pending the conclusion of this inquiry, as noted by a KGW.
