[UPDATE: Jackson Gives Update] Humboldt-Linked Aircraft Crashes Near Seattle

Twin-engine plane that made an emergency landing near Auburn, Washington on April 18—after departing from Eureka earlier that day—had been flying regularly out of Murray Field in recent months. [Photo from Auburn Police Department]

The aircraft, a 1964 Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche registered as N741TJ, departed from Eureka earlier that day on what appears to have been a roughly two-and-a-half-hour flight north before encountering trouble in the Seattle area.

According to the Auburn Police Department, the pilot reported engine issues mid-flight and initially attempted to reach an airport in Renton before diverting toward Auburn. While approaching, the aircraft lost its second engine, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing at a construction site. The female pilot sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital for evaluation. A male passenger was not injured.

Aviation analyst Juan Browne—an airline pilot and former Air Force instructor—breaks down the April 18 emergency landing involving a Twin Comanche that had been flying out of Eureka. Browne runs the widely followed blancolirio YouTube channel.

Audio from air traffic control, included in the video accompanying this article, captures the pilot declaring an emergency after reporting problems with one engine. As the situation worsened, she told controllers they would not make the airport and would instead attempt a landing in an open area.

Despite the loss of both engines—an uncommon and particularly dangerous scenario in twin-engine aircraft—the pilot was able to bring the plane down without serious injuries.

Flight history data shows the aircraft had been actively operating in the region in recent months, making multiple flights between Eureka and destinations including Redding, Crescent City, Portland, and Gold Beach. Several of those flights originated and ended at Murray Field, suggesting the aircraft had been based locally or frequently operating out of Humboldt County.

Federal Aviation Administration records list the aircraft as registered to Jackson Thomas R. Jr. of Spearfish, South Dakota, under an individual registration rather than a company or LLC.

A source familiar with both the aircraft and its owner told Redheaded Blackbelt that the plane belongs to former Cal Poly Humboldt president Tom Jackson Jr., who previously worked in Spearfish and is known to be a pilot. Redheaded Blackbelt has reached out to Jackson for confirmation but has not yet received a response.

The cause of the dual engine failure remains under investigation. In similar incidents, According to Juan Browne, an aviation analyst who produced the video above, investigators often examine fuel levels, fuel system management, and mechanical issues, but officials have not released any findings in this case.

The aircraft came down approximately two to three miles short of Auburn Municipal Airport. Witnesses reported hearing an engine sputter before going quiet in the moments leading up to the landing.

Authorities have not released the identity of the pilot as of this writing.

We’d like to thank reader Jeff Driver, who reached out to flag this incident and share additional context. Jeff, who said, “I just retired a couple years ago from being a Lead TSA officer and trainer at the Arcata/Eureka airport,” noted that he follows the Blanco Lirio YouTube channel and recognized the aircraft’s connection to Humboldt County. Tips like Jeff’s often help bring local angles to stories that might otherwise fly under the radar. If you see something our readers should know about, feel free to send tips to [email protected]

Note: Information in this report is based on preliminary data and may be updated as more details become available.

UPDATE 4:56 p.m.: Former Cal Poly Humboldt President Tom Jackson Jr. confirmed to Redheaded Blackbelt that he owns the aircraft involved in the April 18 emergency landing near Auburn, Washington, but said he was not on board at the time.

Jackson identified the pilot as Chandi Jackson, a certified flight instructor and multi-engine instructor (CFI/MEI) who works as a corporate pilot and was serving as pilot in command during the flight.

According to Jackson, initial information from the National Transportation Safety Board indicates no pilot error is suspected. He also stated there was a substantial amount of fuel remaining in all four tanks at the time of the incident. The aircraft, a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, carries about 90 gallons of fuel and burns roughly 15 gallons per hour; the flight had been underway for approximately two and a half hours.

Jackson said the pilot successfully executed the emergency landing in a confined area, with both occupants surviving. There were two people on board, and only the pilot sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries. “They successfully landed in a small area, nailing the emergency landing and walking away,” Jackson told us. He added that this was a case of “two souls saved that day.”