Two Idaho Men Killed After Lewiston-Bound Airplane Crashes in Oxbow, Oregon

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OXBOW, OR – Two Idaho men were killed in an airplane crash near Oxbow, Oregon on Saturday. Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash and Lt. Ryan Downing were in the area when they spotted the aircraft which appeared to be in distress. It ultimately crashed into the hillside at approximately 9:52 a.m.

“They notified Baker County Dispatch as they ran to the scene. Baker County Search and Rescue, Pine Valley Rural Fire District and Halfway Ambulance were requested to respond to the area,” a press release says. “Sheriff Ash, Lt. Downing and Deputy Thompson began searching the area and were assisted by bystanders and Idaho Power employees. After performing a ground search of the area, they located the airplane crash site on a ridge above the Idaho Power complex and were unable to locate any survivors.”

During the investigation, it was determined that the plane, piloted by 43-year-old Terry Lee Richards of Middleton, Idaho, was flying to Lewiston after taking off from the Caldwell Executive Airport. Richards and his passenger, 24-year-old Caleb Andrew Tennant of Middleton, did not survive the crash. The investigation to determine the cause of the crash is ongoing.

The Baker County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Pine Valley Rural Fire District, Halfway Ambulance, Baker Aircraft, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Baker County Search and Rescue, and the National Transportation Safety Board.

“Special thanks to Idaho Power for allowing the use of their facilities during the investigation,” the Sheriff’s Office says. “On behalf of the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Ash would like to extend his sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Richards and Mr. Tennant.”