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On August 3, 2008, pilot Jason Ketcheson rented a Cessna 172K, N828CC, from owner Allen Sprague for a business trip to Klamath Falls, Oregon, that was to depart the following morning. He and passenger Frank Toohey were the only individuals aboard the four-seat aircraft on the morning of August 4, 2008. At approximately 6:48 a.m. Pacific Daylight time on August 4, 2008, the single-engine plane crashed into a residential area in Gearhart, Oregon, approximately one mile from its takeoff at Seaside Municipal Airport. The Gearhart area is a popular vacation destination in Oregon.
The residence, which sustained the brunt of the crash after the plane collided with a pine tree, was a rental home which was occupied by the family of former Oregon Attorney General Lee Johnson. Johnson’s two daughters, their husbands and their children had checked in to the rental home and were starting what would have been a two week vacation. At the time of the crash, one of Johnson’s daughters, her husband and oldest daughter were out of the house on an early morning walk. They arrived back at the rental home to find it engulfed in flames.
Three children in the home, ages 12, 10 and 8 years old were killed due to the crash and ensuing fire. The pilot and his passenger also perished in the crash. One of Johnson’s daughters and two of his grandchildren survived the crash and resulting fire, however they sustained injuries and remain in serious condition.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash and has issued a preliminary report. According to the report, the flight was operating under the provisions of CFR, Part 91. There was no flight plan filed. At this time, the cause of the crash is unknown, however it was reported from the Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) at Astoria Regional Airport, eight miles north of the crash, that the winds were calm, with 2.5 miles of visibility in the mist, a 300 foot overcast layer and a temperature at the dew point, 12 C.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) database states that the 1969 Cessna 172K aircraft was owned by Aviation Adventures, LLC, in Seaside, Oregon. According to the State of Oregon’s Business Registry, Allen Sprague is the registered agent of Aviation Adventures, LLC.
The Motley Rice aviation team is researching this accident and any legal responsibility that the pilot, Aviation Adventures, LLC, or Cessna may have to the families of the victims of this tragic accident. If you or someone you know is interested in seeking legal recourse due to wrongful death or personal injury as a result of this accident, please contact Motley Rice Aviation attorney Mary Schiavo (DC, MD, MO, SC) at (843) 216-9138 or toll free at 1-800-768-4026.
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Motley Rice attorneys have many years of experience representing victims of airline disasters and have aircraft pilots and mechanics on staff. We also have French and Spanish translators on staff. If you have any questions, comments or would like to explore your legal rights as a result of this air crash, click here. |
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