WWII Navy Fighter Plane Discovered in Tillamook County, Oregon

The U.S. Navy and several agencies are on scene.

Photos courtesy: Oregon State Police and Wikipedia

(TILLAMOOK, Ore.) - A World War II-era U.S. Navy aircraft was discovered by a logging company near Rockaway Beach, Oregon, March 18. After Tillamook County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) and Oregon State Police (OSP) learned about the discovery, the Navy was notified for response. Initial responders believe there is a possibility of human remains at the site.

A team of U.S. Navy personnel are working on-scene in coordination with TCSO and OSP to investigate and share information with Joint Prisoner of War / Missing in Action Accounting Command (JPAC) in Honolulu and Navy Region Northwest for further determination.

Navy personnel and local officials are working together to ensure best possible security and safety measures are taken at the private-property location. Safety and integrity of the aircraft site is paramount to this response. It is important that the Navy team on-scene be allowed to make a thorough, undisturbed investigation at this time.

OSP Bomb Technicians checked the site Wednesday afternoon and found no obvious signs of unexploded ordnance.

Navy Curtiss SB2C Helldiver wreckage found in Rockaway, Oregon. OSP photo

Initial responders reported seeing a wing, tail section, landing gear and other debris. The site is in a heavily wooded area where aircraft debris is spread out over an approximately 200 yard area which remains under investigation.

The aircraft's identity is confirmed as a Curtiss SB2C Helldiver.

The Naval Air Station at Tillamook, decommissioned in 1948, was located within 20 miles southeast of the crash site, but the air station of origin has not been determined.

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Source: News release by US Navy, Tillamook County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police