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By The Skanner News | The Skanner News
Published: 29 March 2010

While the assessment of the aircraft crash site in Tillamook County continues, investigators and the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office has a message of caution to those who are unauthorized to access the area.
Since the discovery of what is believed to be a World War II-era aircraft crash site March 18, the SHPO has also been involved with early on-scene assessment of the scene and debris. Following last week's announcement, media organizations have asked for the exact location of the site. That information is not being released for reasons of safety and scene integrity, as well as keeping unauthorized people from the area.
SHPO Archeologist Matthew Diederich advised that it is a violation of State Law (ORS 358.905-955) to alter, damage, or remove material from this archaeological site. Violators will be prosecuted.
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.

LINKED STORIES
Helldiver Found in Oregon Woods Twice? ~ 5-8-10
Enthusiasts Cautioned to Stay Off Site ~3-29-10
Our Designer Drew Helldiver in 1988 ~ 3-25-10
Helldiver Found in Tillamook Forest ~ 3-25-10

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

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