Crash victims still not named

VENETA — The identities of the four people killed in Saturday’s small plane crash just west of here still were not available on Sunday, pending notification of next of kin, but the Oregon Country Fair released a statement on its website saying the fair “is profoundly saddened by the loss of four beloved family members who died in an airplane crash near the airstrip known as Cro-Mag airport.”

The annual fair, a staple of Lane County history and culture since 1969, is July 13 through July 15 this year and takes months of planning.

The Cessna 172 crashed about 3:15 p.m. Saturday in a wooded area south of Suttle Road and east of Ridiculous Road after taking off from the private airstrip just west of the Oregon Country Fair property. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating, according to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.

Charles Bodie of Springfield confirmed by telephone on Sunday that he is the plane’s owner. But Bodie didn’t want to comment about the crash or why his plane was involved. “I’d just as soon not say anything right now until the NTSB has made their investigation,” he said.

The plane took off southbound from the grass airstrip at 24003 Suttle Road and quickly lost altitude, according to witness statements provided to the sheriff’s office. According to nearby residents, online records and previous Register-Guard stories, Cro-Mag Airport is owned by Conrad Magnuson, who would not comment and became hostile when approached Saturday on his property.

According to a Sept. 2, 2006, Register-Guard story, there was another fatal crash in late August that year after a vintage biplane took off from the airstrip. Audrey Thieme, 72, of Florence, was killed in that crash after a plane piloted by then-70-year-old William Reynolds Kirk, who sustained injuries, hit the roof of a house about 250 feet from the airstrip, then hit two parked cars as it crashed to the ground, according to the story.

A November 1991 Register-Guard story about Magnuson’s efforts to expand his small airport told of residents’ opposition. Residents said at the time that expansion would increase noise and create a higher risk of crash.

The statement on the OCF website Sunday said that each of the victims “generously shared their time, unique talents, and spirit. They will be deeply missed, but always remembered in the Country Fair’s spirit of love, hope, and acceptance …

“The Oregon Country Fair Family asks for understanding and patience as we cope with the loss of our cherished family members, and honor their spirit with kindness and consideration. For now, no public memorial is planned.”