Oregon Couple Killed in Plane Crash in Klamath County

Wednesday, October 04, 2017
GoLocalPDX News Team

An Oregon couple were killed in a plane crash in Klamath County on Monday morning.

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

The Crash

On October 1, at 10:43 a.m., 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, later identified as a Cirrus SR-22. The plane sounded as if it was having engine trouble. The cloud cover was at treetop level and the airplane was not visible. 

The plane was heard making impact to 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 headed from the Klamath Falls airport to Medford. The FAA and NTSB are responding to the scene to assist and take over the investigation.