Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Undersheriff Paul Timm, reports that last night, July 9 at 8:52 P.M., the Linn County Dispatch Center received several 911 calls regarding an aircraft that had crashed in a field behind Deciduous Avenue in Millersburg.
When deputies and other fire personnel arrived, there were several citizens in the area directing them to an aircraft with two occupants. The aircraft is a North Wing Trike, which is a two-seater, motorized glider-type aircraft. During the investigation, deputies learned that Charles Kizer, 57, of Albany, was operating the aircraft. The passenger was Matthew Irish, 49, of Albany. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash was witnessed by people in the area.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Since the aircraft was motorized and had a capacity of two persons, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was contacted and will help in the investigation.
Linn County was assisted by the Jefferson Fire Department, Albany Fire Department, and the Linn County Medical Examiner.