Chelan County Sheriff - Sheriff Mike Harum reports on August 19, 2007 at 4:00 PM deputies responded to an airplane crash near the Lake Wenatchee airstrip.  The pilot, a Vancouver, WA resident had called 911 advising he had just crashed into trees near the airfield.  He told RiverCom there were four people on board and all had been able to walk away from the crash.

Upon arrival of deputies, fire, and medic units it was found that there had been two adult males and two small children, ages six and four, on the Cesna 172 airplane, all family members.  The pilot related to deputies that he had begun his take off heading west when his stall alert went off as he was clearing the end of the grass runway.  He was not able to gain enough altitude before striking the tops of several trees.  The plane then flew between three large trees, tearing the left wing almost off and severely damaging the rest of the plane.  All passengers were able to climb out of the plane and walk back through tall brush and trees to the airfield. They received very minor injuries and were treated at the scene and released.

The pilot had been contacted earlier, 8:26 AM by a deputy due to an illegal campfire. The pilot indicated he had to land his aircraft in the area due to the weather, his destination was Vancouver. He told the deputy that he would remain until the weather lifts. The campfire was extinguished.

Deputies spoke with the NTSB and FAA who advised they would be investigating further with the pilot.