Afghan refugees die in Polk County plane crash
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The 3 people who died when a small plane crashed in Polk County on Saturday were Afghan refugees who arrived in Oregon in 2022.
Mohammad Hussain Musawi, the 35-year-old pilot, plus passengers Mohammad Bashir Safdari, 35, and Ali Jan Ferdawsi, 29, all died at the scene of the crash near Hoffman Road in Independence shortly before 5 p.m.
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Darwaish Zakhil, the director of the Afghan Support Network in Beaverton, told KOIN 6 News Musawai was an experience pilot who was dedicated to his family and career.
“We are mourning and hoping to bring the community together,” said Zakhil.
No other passengers nor the owner of the plane were on board, authorities say.
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The plane was traveling in heavy fog to the Independence State Airport from McMinnville when the plane crashed, downing power lines, causing a power outage and a small brush fire on Hoffman Road, authorities said.
Musawi “was looking for a bright future for him on his family. And he tried his best to bring his family,” Zakhil told KOIN 6 News. “It’s a very sad and horrific tragedy for all Afghans in the state of Oregon and for their families.”
The group Salem For Refugees said in a statement all 3 men were part of a pilot training program who resettled to Salem in Spring 2022. The pilot training program was sponsored by Salem For Refugees and funded by Willamette Workforce Partnership.
Zakhil said he spoke with other friends and colleagues of Musawi that did missions together. “They were very experienced pilots and worked years in Afghanistan and serving the Afghan army in the coalition forces.”
Salem For Refugees is working on ways to donate for funeral expenses.
Musawi “was looking for a bright future for him on his family. And he tried his best to bring his family,” Zakhil told KOIN 6 News. “It’s a very sad and horrific tragedy for all Afghans in the state of Oregon and for their families.”
The crash investigation is now being led by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. A cause has not yet been determined.
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