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Pasco, WA (June 26, 2026) – Two California men lost their lives after a small plane went down in the Columbia River near Clover Island on Wednesday, June 24.
Emergency units were called to the river at about 2:29 p.m. after reports that an aircraft had clipped power lines near the Cable Bridge on the Pasco side of the river. Witnesses said the plane was flying low before striking the lines, flipping over, and falling into the water.
The damaged power lines caused outages in Pasco and Kennewick. Sparks also ignited a grass fire at Pasco’s Youth Baseball Complex. The aircraft was recovered from the river about 3:30 p.m. after being found upside down and partially submerged.
The Franklin County Coroner identified the deceased as Randy J. Peterson, 64, and Eric Wayne Houston, 50, both of Sonoma, California. Officials said the pair were believed to have been traveling from the Napa River in California to an air show at Priest Lake in Coolin, Idaho. An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday, June 25, to help determine the cause of death.
The circumstances surrounding the plane crash remain under investigation as additional findings become available.
Our sincere condolences go out to the families, friends, and loved ones of Randy J. Peterson and Eric Wayne Houston.
Why Power Line Strikes Are Especially Dangerous for Aircraft
Aircraft striking power lines can create several hazards at once, affecting both people in the air and communities on the ground. In addition to damaging the aircraft, contact with electrical lines may interrupt power service, create fire risks from falling sparks, and complicate rescue efforts if energized equipment remains nearby.
Investigators generally review the aircraft’s flight path, weather conditions, visibility, and any available flight data or witness accounts. Damage to the power infrastructure and the aircraft is also examined to help establish the sequence of events. Medical examinations, maintenance records, and communications made before the flight may provide further information. Because several agencies usually take part in these reviews, final findings can take weeks or months to be released.
