Authorities identify pilot and passenger injured in plane crash at Aurora Airport in Oregon
Authorities have identified the pilot and passenger who crash-landed at Aurora Airport in Oregon as Anthony Pate, 64, of Sherwood and Dick Omen, 70. They escaped the plane crash with minor injuries Wednesday.
Pate was attempting to land from the south end of the airport when he hit a fence and a radio antenna causing the plane to crash, according to Lt. Chris Baldridge with Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies have completed their portion of the investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will take over the investigation.
Deputies were called to the scene around 3:30 p.m. when a Piper Malibu Mirage was attempting to land and struck a radio antenna, sending it to the ground in the south end of the field, according to Lt. Chris Baldridge with Marion County Sheriff's Office.
The pilot was able to get out of the plane before medics arrived. Firefighters removed the passenger from the plane. Both men were conscious and aware of their surroundings, Baldridge said.
Both were taken to Salem Hospital for treatment.
There were no other injuries.
The story will be updated when more information is available.
Virginia Barreda is the Breaking News Reporter at the Statesman Journal. Contact her at vbarreda@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6657. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.
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