SILVER LAKE, Ore. — Authorities confirmed that a pilot was killed Tuesday morning after a small single-engine plane crashed in a remote area near Silver Lake, while a dog on board miraculously survived, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Distress Signal and Search Efforts
The crash occurred around 9:20 a.m. on December 23, 2025, after the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center received a distress signal from the downed aircraft. Shortly afterward, Klamath County Dispatch also received an iPhone crash detection alert believed to be linked to the same incident.
Emergency responders located the wreckage in a remote section south of Silver Lake and west of Summer Lake, near Pole Butte.
One Fatality Confirmed
When first responders reached the crash site, they found the pilot deceased inside the aircraft. The dog traveling on board was found alive and safely rescued from the scene, officials said.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
Investigation Underway
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to determine the cause of the crash.
Officials emphasized that this remains a preliminary investigation and that further details will be released as they become available.
Emergency Response
Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including:
- Lake County Search and Rescue
- Oregon State Police
- Silver Lake EMS and Fire
- Christmas Valley Fire Department
- Oregon State Fire Marshal
- Klamath County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Additionally, the Crescent Rural Fire Protection District was placed on standby during the response. Authorities are continuing to investigate what led to the fatal crash. Stay with HonkNews.com for updates as new information is released by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and NTSB.