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@MCSOInTheKnow
On July 16th, at approximately 1:23 pm emergency personnel were dispatched to a single engine plane reported to have crashed into a farm field. When deputies arrived, the plane was fully engulfed in flames.
The pilot told deputies while flying from the Albany area to the Aurora Airport he experienced mechanical issues which led to the plane catching fire mid-flight. The pilot made an emergency landing into the farm field and was able to walk away from the crash with non-life threatening injuries.
The pilot has been identified as Eugene Mitchell, 73, of Portland. Mr. Mitchell is a military veteran, with flying experience dating back to Vietnam. Mr. Mitchell was taken to a local hospital for his injuries where he was treated and released.
Emergency services from Aumsville Fire District, Marion County Fire District #1 and an ambulance from Santiam Hospital all responded to the scene to provide assistance.
The Sheriff's Office does not anticipate releasing any additional information regarding this incident.
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This afternoon at approximately 1:23 pm, emergency services were dispatched to an air craft crash into a field in the area of Jordan St SE and Howell Prairie Rd SE in Marion County. When deputies arrived on scene, the single engine plane was fully engulfed in flames. The pilot was able to get out of the plane after making an emergency landing into a farm field.
The pilot told deputies he was forced to make an emergency landing in the field after his plane caught fire in the air after experiencing mechanical issues. The pilot was taken to an area hospital by ambulance for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The pilot was the sole occupant of the plane and there are no other reported injuries as a result of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Traffic Safety Board have been notified of the crash.