Pilot dies in small plane crash on Oregon coast

FORT CLATSOP, Ore. (AP) -- Authorities say a pilot has died after his small plane lost power and crashed Saturday night shortly after taking off from Warrenton-Astoria Regional Airport on Oregon's north coast.

Clatsop County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Mark Whisler tells KATU that Kevin Dooney died in the crash. He says Dooney worked as a bar pilot on the Columbia River and led the Columbia River Bar Pilot Association.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus said Sunday the plane lost power just before 6 p.m. and crashed near Fort Clatsop, about a mile from the airport. Dooney was the only one aboard.

Fergus says Dooney was flying a Piper Comanche, a single-engine four-seat plane. KATU says FAA records show the plane was registered to Dooney, who lived in Ilwaco, Wash.

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