Plane Crash Kills Oregon Couple

The crash site was difficult to locate due to the weather and thick timber.

A Cirrus SR-22 crashed Sunday morning into the mountains in western Klamath County, killing two. Photo: OSP

(KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore.) - A Cirrus SR-22 crashed Sunday morning into the mountains in western Klamath County, killing two people from Glendale, Oregon. They were on their way to Medford from Klamath Falls.

At 10:43 a.m., October 1st, an Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Trooper was working with a volunteer between Burton Butte and Old Baldy Mtn. in a remote section of western Klamath County near the Pacific Crest Trail when they heard a low flying airplane.

The plane sounded as if it was having engine trouble. The cloud cover was at treetop level and the airplane was not visible.

Then the crash was heard, as the plane made impact with the ground, less than a mile away. First responders immediately started getting resources en route to assist and locate the plane.

An initial check of the area by Troopers and subsequent searches by Search and Rescue were unable to locate the plane. Weather conditions improved, but it wasn't until the morning of October 2nd before a helicopter was able to spot the wreckage and rescuers made their way through the thick timber to the location.

The plane was occupied by 54-year old Juan Canopii, and his wife 60-year old Chantal Canopii, both of Glendale, Oregon. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigation is still continuing to determine the cause and who was the pilot.

The FAA and NTSB have responded to the scene to assist and take over the investigation.

The Oregon State Police was assisted at the scene by Klamath, Jackson, Lake, Douglas, Del Norte and Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office SAR teams, Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Brim Aviation and members of the Oregon Air National Guard 173rd Fighter Wing.

Source: Oregon State Police