Three people escaped with minor injuries after a small plane crashed near the Sisters Eagle Airport Sunday. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office: At approximately 11:06 a.m. Sunday, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a plane crash in the Indian Ford Meadows community, just north of the Sisters Eagle Airport. A small Cessna aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff and came to rest in a wooded area, where it caught fire.
Three people were on board—one pilot and two passengers. All three managed to escape the aircraft before it became fully engulfed. They suffered minor injuries and were transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend for evaluation.
Deputies secured the area and assisted the injured occupants until fire crews arrived.
Fire crews from the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District and Cloverdale Fire District responded rapidly, along with personnel from the United States Forest Service. Their swift action prevented the fire from spreading to nearby trees or structures in the residential area.
“This was a textbook example of interagency partnership,” said Jason Carr, Public Information Officer for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. “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 is not known at this time. The aircraft will remain in place pending an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
More information will be provided as it becomes available.