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'He was a renaissance man': Loved ones remember student pilot killed in Newberg plane crash

Barrett Bevacqua was one of two people killed in the Tuesday evening crash. A third person was seriously injured.

HILLSBORO, Ore. — On Wednesday evening, hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil at the Hillsboro Airport to remember 20-year-old Barrett Bevacqua. He was one of two people killed in a plane crash in Newberg, Tuesday night.

“Barrett was a shining star,” said Barrett’s father, Matt Bevacqua. “We're blessed that we had 20 amazing years with him.”

Bevacqua said Barrett died following his dream of becoming a commercial pilot. On Tuesday evening around 6:45 p.m., the Piper Seminole he was in spiraled out of control and crashed into the roof of a home in Newberg. No one inside the house was injured. Barrett and his flight instructor, 22-year-old Michele Cavallotti were killed. Another student pilot, 20-year-old Emily Hurd, survived but suffered serious injuries. Bevacqua said all three were roommates.

Barrett and Hurd were part of the Horizon Air Ascend Pilot Academy which trains students to become commercial pilots. They partner with the Hillsboro Aero Academy. Federal transportation officials are investigating what caused the crash.

RELATED: 2 people dead, 1 hospitalized after plane crashes into Newberg home

Credit: Matt Bevacqua
Photo of Barrett Bevacqua, shared by his father

Loved ones said Barrett had dreamed of becoming a pilot since he was two, but the Lakeridge High School graduate had other passions. He played football and baseball, and he loved to sing, cook and hunt.

Credit: Matt Bevacqua
Photo of Barrett Bevacqua, shared by his father

“He was a renaissance man,” said Bevacqua. “He brightened up a room, he had a smile that just melted you. He made other people better.”

Credit: Matt Bevacqua
Photo of Barett Bevacqua and his parents, shared by his father

Bevacqua was planning a public memorial for Barrett and said it was tentatively set for the afternoon of Sunday Oct. 8 at the Lakeridge High School football field.

Credit: KGW
Loved ones gather to honor and remember Barett in Hillsboro on Oct. 4.

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