Video footage captures the horrifying moment a light aircraft plummeted to the ground, exploding on impact and subsequently setting a house ablaze.
The incident took place in the Fairview residential neighborhood, as detailed in a report by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s office.
The footage reveals smoke billowing from homes after the twin-engine aircraft fell from the sky.
The crash also resulted in a power outage, affecting thousands of local residents.
Scott Lewis, the Gresham Fire Chief, reported that five units within the neighborhood were impacted by the fire, potentially displacing four families.
While there is no confirmation yet regarding injuries or fatalities, initial reports from the sheriff’s office indicate that three people are missing.
Among the missing, two were reported to be on the plane, and the third is a local resident who has not been accounted for since the crash.
Authorities have verified that there are injuries but remain uncertain about any fatalities.
John Plock, a public information officer from Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, addressed a news conference on Saturday, stating: “I know that there, there are injuries, I don’t know how many, I don’t know how severe, and I don’t know about fatalities.”
Plock confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be conducting an investigation into the crash.
He also noted that the aircraft collided with a tower that supports power cables.
“At some point during the crash, it hit a power pole or tower, causing it to fall over,” said Plock.
Fortunately, the fire did not spread as it originated in a swampy area.
The FAA released a statement saying: “A twin-engine Cessna 421C crashed near Troutdale Airport in Oregon around 10:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Aug. 31.
“We do not yet know how many people were on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide any updates.”
A spokesperson for Portland General Electric (PGE) reported that the power outage affected approximately 9,000 customers in the area.
The statement added: “PGE crews are onsite assessing damage to our lines and will communicate with customers when we know more about the extent of damage and restoration timeline.”
PGE confirmed that power has been restored to the majority of residents in the affected area.