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Plane loses engine, lands in field next to highway in Baker County

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Posted at 5:15 AM, Feb 28, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-28 07:15:55-05

A pilot and passenger are safe after an emergency plane landing in Baker County. The sheriff's office says is was notified just before 3:30 p.m. on Thursday of an airplane experiencing engine failure and attempting to land.

The pilot, Tom Van Diepen, felt a vibration in the engine and turned to perform a forced landing. He landed the plane in a field next to Highway 7. While taxiing across the field, the plane went into an irrigation ditch.

Van Diepen and Jason Dexter were able to exit the plane without assistance. There were no injuries reported in the crash.

Oregon State Police, Baker City Fire Department, Bowen Valley Fire, and Baker County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.