News Release

Two injured, one deceased in small plane crash in southwest corner of Olympic National Park

Date: July 16, 2025
Contact: Public Affairs Office, 360-565-3005

PORT ANGELES, Wash. — One person is dead, and two others are injured after a small plane crashed in a remote area of Olympic National Park, according to National Park Service officials. 

Around 6:50 p.m. on July 15, park rangers were notified of the crash in the Quinault area of Olympic National Park. The crash site is on a forested, steep slope north of the Irely Lake Trailhead.  

Rangers immediately coordinated a response with Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue. The three occupants of the plane – a Murphy SR3500 Moose – were transported to a Level 1 Trauma Center. Two occupants are being treated for their injuries, and one is deceased. The cause of the accident is unknown and under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.