SALEM, Ore. – A pilot was killed in a small plane crash near a private airport east of Salem on Monday afternoon, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said.
The plane crashed into a ravine near the Blue Skies Farm Airport , located at 6840 Lardon Rd. NE, around 4 p.m.
The sheriff's office said the pilot, Norman Newton, 40, of Salem was the only one in the plane.
His Facebook page says he owns The Night Deposit Whiskey Library. On that business’ Facebook page, there is a post thanking everyone for the condolences and kind words.
“It's been hard. I think everybody's been really heartbroken over it,” said Aleesha Vandusseldorp, one of Newton’s employees. She said she found out what happened when she was watching the news Monday afternoon.
“We just had a party at his house like a week ago for Memorial Day and he was showing us his plane and stuff. So we kinda knew what it looked like and saw the wreckage. So was hoping it wasn't him,” said Vandusseldorp.
She works at Norm’s Pub in Salem and says Newton was a mentor, as well as a boss anyone would be happy to have.
“He has pretty much helped us make the best versions of ourselves. I know that sounds kind of corny but it's true,” she said.
Vandusseldorp said Newton also owned The Night Deposit Whiskey Library as well as the Sugar Shack in Salem.
“I'm gonna miss his jokes and his smile,” she said.
While work will be difficult without Newton, she said she’s continuing on for Newton and the two little kids he leaves behind.
“It's his dream. So we're just gonna keep it going for him. Try to be strong,”’ said Vandusseldorp.
The FAA and the NTSB are investigating the crash.