A small aircraft crashed into a residential home in Fairview, Oregon, on Saturday morning, igniting a large fire and leaving thousands of residents without power. The twin-engine Cessna 421C went down around 10:30 a.m. local time near Troutdale Airport, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA confirmed that the exact number of people aboard the plane remained unknown. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced they would be conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
DEVELOPING: Several homes on fire after small plane crashes into residential area in the Portland suburb of Fairview. pic.twitter.com/iuidhP3ZsP
— UA News (@UrgentAlertNews) August 31, 2024
Emergency personnel arrived on the site without delay. Since Fairview depends on Gresham's fire department for emergency services, Gresham firefighters were among the first to arrive on the scene. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Portland Airport Fire, and the Portland Fire Department also contributed further help.
The collision and subsequent fire caused extensive power disruptions in the surrounding region. A map of Portland General Electric outages indicated that over 12,000 people were without power. The spectacular aftermath was documented by social media users, who posted images and videos showing dense gray smoke and towering orange flames rising against a brilliant blue sky.
🚨BREAKING: MAJOR PLANE CRASH OUTSIDE PORTLAND OREGON‼️‼️‼️☢️ INSANE FOOTAGE ☢️I PUT TOGETHER THIS COMPILATION OF ALL THE VIDEOS WE HAVE SO FAR STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES‼️ pic.twitter.com/pqE8SANVz9
— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) August 31, 2024
A video that was uploaded to X (the old name for Twitter) seems to capture the impact of the collision and showed smoke billowing from the area. Some users posted pictures of the smoke cloud, and another user brought attention to the widespread power outages that the area's clients were experiencing.
Uncertainty surrounded the ownership and destination of the aircraft, as well as the precise reason of the crash, which is still being investigated. Reports suggested that the fire may have harmed many residences, although authorities have not yet confirmed if any injuries or fatalities occurred.
The inquiry into the incident was verified by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office to KATU, a local news source. As the inquiry continues, it is anticipated that the entire amount of the damage and the circumstances surrounding the incident will become clear.
Fairview has depended on neighboring Gresham for help with firefighting and emergency response as it lacks its own fire and emergency services. The municipalities of Troutdale, Wood Village, and other unincorporated Multnomah County regions are also served by Gresham's fire department.