A logging company discovered the wreckage of a U.S. Navy World War II-era Curtiss SB2 Helldiver aircraft in the forest near Rockaway Beach. Authorities believe human remains are likely to be discovered at the site.
Navy personnel and local officials are now working to establish security at the private property location to ensure a "thorough, undisturbed" investigation. It is yet unknown what air station of origin the plane could have originated, although Naval Air Station Tillamook, decommissioned in 1948 is 20 miles southeast of the crash site.
A team of U.S. Navy personnel are working on-scene in coordination with TCSO and OSP to investigate and share information with Joint Prisoner of War / Missing in Action Accounting Command (JPAC) in Honolulu and Navy Region Northwest for further determination.
Initial responders reported seeing a wing, tail section, landing gear and other debris. The site is in a heavily wooded area where aircraft debris
is spread out over an approximately 200 yard area which remains under investigation. Oregon State Police Bomb Technicians investigated the site, but have found no evidence of unexploded ordnance.
