Two dead after plane crashes near Eatonville

A small, two-passenger plane crashed near Eatonville on Saturday night, leaving two dead.

Pierce County Sheriff’s Office units responded at 9:22 p.m. to multiple reports from Eatonville residents who witnessed the plane nose-dive into the woods south of the city before hearing a loud crash, PCSO deputy Carly Cappetto told The News Tribune.

With the help of the residents, Washington Explorer Search and Rescue and South Pierce Fire and Rescue, officials found the crash site about half a mile off the Bud Blancher Trailhead, Cappetto said.

The 40-year-old male pilot and 53-year-old male passenger were both found inside of the plane.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash but were not reached Sunday morning. It’s unclear what caused the crash or from where the plane originated. The two deceased have not been identified.