Coast Guard resumes search for former Clark Co. commissioner's plane near Astoria

ASTORIA, Ore. — The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a plane after getting reports it have crashed into the Columbia River near Astoria.

The plane belongs to amateur pilot and former Clark County commissioner John McKibbin, the Clatsop County Sheriff said.

Coast guard officials received reports around around 3:50 p.m. of a private plane crashing in the Columbia River near the Astoria-Megler Bridge, according to our news partners at The Columbian. The aircraft had two people aboard when it left Pearson Field in Vancouver, the FAA said.

The Coast Guard located some oil spots but ultimately suspended the search Wednesday night, tweeting around 9:30 p.m. it remains "open but suspended due to poor visibility, will resume at first light."

Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin said there are very small windows to search for the plane due to the tide and strong currents in the area.

McKibbin, 69, was last seen leaving Pearson Field around 3:30 p.m. yesterday, KATU News learned from George Welsh, one of McKibbin's good friends. Welsh said he worked with John to rebuild the North American T-6 Texan that he took up that afternoon.

McKibbin was flying a woman out to spread the ashes of her late husband,Sheriff Bergin said.