SALEM, Ore. — A pilot died in an airplane crash outside Salem Monday, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Reports came in just before 4 p.m. of an aircraft emergency along Lardon Road NE in Marion County, near the Little Pudding River. Authorities say there is a small, private runway nearby known as Blue Skies Farm Airport.
Initial reports state that the sole person onboard the fixed-wing airplane, presumed to be the pilot, died in the crash.
Deputies are working with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board to find out what led up to the crash. An investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board from Alaska is expected to arrive Tuesday morning.
According to the FAA, the plane was a Kitfox airplane and it crashed into a ravine.
Deputies said they are looking for witnesses of the crash or people who saw the plane flying before the crash.
"If anyone saw the plane in trouble, if it was going down, or even saw them flying, please give us a call," said Lt. Chris Baldridge, spokesman for the sheriff's office.
If you have any helpful information, authorities want you to call (503) 588-5032.
Neighbors told KATU News they did not hear a plane crash.
"In the eight years we've been here, we've never heard of any accidents," said Keyla Hernandez who lives across the street.