Incline pilot dies in Oregon plane crash
By Argus Observer
ONTARIO, Ore. — An Incline Village man had just left the Ontario Airport Sunday morning and was flying around the Owyhee Dam, when the propeller of his single-engine plane hit a power line, shearing off one of the blades.
The plane, an EA 300LT, went into a flat spin and crashed about 11am, about 2 miles below the Owyhee Dam, killing its pilot and sole passenger, 52-year-old Edward Wilson Claugus.
Edward Wilson Claugus of Incline died June 23 flying near the Oregon-Idaho border. Photo/Troy Colson/KTVB-TV
Claugus had a hangar at the Ontario Airport, according to Malheur County Sgt. Rich Harriman.
Harriman said investigators found a piece of the sheared-off propeller blade some distance from the crash site.
Witnesses said they had seen Claugus flying around the area on Saturday, and that he had landed at Pelican Point that day.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.
The dam is on the Owyhee River south of Ontario near the Idaho border.
Ed was the smartest person I’ve ever met. He was a good person and loved life and was an excellent pilot and financial wizard. He’s the reason that I moved to Houston (ok, you too Paul). You will be missed, Ed Claugus. You will be missed.
Ed was a was a family friend from a wonderful family. As a fellow pilot, I wish him well as he has Gone West.
When a pilot dies, while it is tragic, we must remember that a piece of all of us goes with him. He exercised his judgement and, while faulty, he believed in it so much, that he bet his life on it. We must look at ourselves. Every pilot who he has encountered him has influenced him. So we have all lost something.
Ed, will be sadly missed, and fondly remembered.
I grew up with Ed. He was a great guy and good friend. He will be missed!
I grew up with Ed. He was a great guy and good friend. He will be missed!
Ed and I met the day he moved in across the street from me in Incline. We were friends from that day forward. Ed and I rode motorcycles together all across northern California and many other places. We often flew to Chico for a Speedy Burrito. One of the things I missed most about leaving Incline was my time with Ed. I will miss my dear friend a great deal. Farewell, Ed.