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We will have a full story up here as soon as we get official updates from authorities.
6:30p
Update: It is not known exactly how many souls were on board.
On December 5th, 2021, at about 4:52 p.m., several Medford Police officers and rescue personnel responded to a plane crash in the parking lot adjacent to Airport Chevrolet, 3001 Biddle Road. Initial information indicates one person was one board the plane when it crashed and they did not survive.
It is not believed anyone on the ground was injured. The plane involved is reported to be a 9 passenger propeller plane. Medford Fire and Rescue has the scene under control at this time.
7:40UPDATE
We have obtained communication between the pilot and MFR Control Tower.
MFR Tower attempts to communicate a low elevation warning to the pilot of the plane.
Seconds later, the Control Tower does a callout to MFR Fire personnel regarding the now downed plane.
This final recording is between the MFR Tower and MFR Fire personnel. States they believe there was only one person on board, but cannot confirm.
8p UPDATE:
Road Closure: Biddle Road continues to be closed in both directions between Knutson Avenue and Automation Way as first responders remain on scene of a plane crash in the parking lot adjacent to Airport Chevrolet.
Avoid the area as closures are anticipated to continue through the evening and into the early morning. The following information has been provided by both our Medford Fire Department and Medford Police department regarding the incident: The fire is under control and crews are working on hot spots.
Crews will remain on scene until representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board arrive on scene to investigate.
9P UPDATE:
We have confirmed, with a local expert, that this is the plane that crashed earlier this evening. It’s a privately owned Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain. We are withholding the owners name at this time until authorities confirm who the deceased individual was.
The City of Medford has now updated the current roads closures. Biddle Road is now open in both directions. Automation Way and Chevy Way will remain closed until further notice.
9:15P UPDATE:
This is the flight of the plane that crashed. It was heading to FLX Airport in Nevada. Looks as if it crashed shortly after takeoff as it left MFR.
MONDAY AM UPDATE:
We have obtained permission to show this surveillance footage of the plane crash from the Biddle Rd area.
NOTE: This may be disturbing to watch.
10A MONDAY UPDATE:
Investigators are actively working the scene looking for answers to this tragedy. All roads in the area are open, with the exception of Automation Way. Several metro agencies are on scene, along with federal crash investigators, which is standard in these types of crashes.
At this time, we do not have any official updates about the crash. We are expecting more details to be released as the investigation continues over the next couple day.
Airport Chevy has released an update this morning:
“Our Sales department is now open. We’ll let you know when Service opens, which we are hoping will be early afternoon. While our building is damaged, none of our staff were injured. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the pilot.”
11:45A MONDAY UPDATE:
The FAA has now confirmed that the pilot and one other person on board died as a result of the crash.
“AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES INTO A CAR DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, MEDFORD, OR.” -FAA Briefing Description
Thankfully, there are still no reports of anyone on the ground injured.
This is an ongoing investigation and further assistance is expected to arrive on scene today from the NTSB.
6P MONDAY UPDATE:
The Medford Police Department is working with the Medford Fire Department, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
MPD confirms two people were on the plane when it crashed and they did not survive.
Next of kin have been notified. They are identified as:
Pilot: Sefton, Donald Harbert, 69 years old. He had an address in Fallon, Nevada.
Passenger: Serpa, Valorie Jean, 67 years old, also of Fallon, Nevada.
11:40A TUESDAY UPDATE:
Medford Police has just announced that all roads in the area near the crash are now open.
We will continue to update.
