Medical plane crashes in Northern California, killing all 4 aboard

A small medical transport plane crashed into a mountain range in Northern California on Friday, killing all four people on board, authorities said.

The Piper PA-31 was on its way from Crescent City airport near the Oregon border to Oakland International Airport with three crew members and a patient on board when the pilot declared an emergency about 1 a.m., according to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.

The pilot planned to return to Crescent City after the transport, but radar contact with the aircraft was lost about five miles northeast of Arcata-Eureka Airport.

Sheriff’s search and rescue teams found the crash site several hours later, on private land owned by timber company about 290 miles north of San Francisco.

The plane was part of Cal-Ore Life Flight, which transports patients in Northern California and Oregon.

“This is one of the saddest moments in our history. We have been told there were no survivors,” parent company REACH Air Medical Services said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the patient and our crew members.”

The company said it is withholding the victims’ names pending confirmation from authorities.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

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UPDATES:

July 30, 11:50 a.m.: This article has been updated throughout with staff reporting.

July 29, 11:35 a.m.: This article has been updated with news that the plane’s wreckage was found.

This article was originally published at 11 a.m. July 29.