Witnesses saw plane turn sharply before crash near Rogue River.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Two witnesses told investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board that they saw a small airplane carrying two Creswell women and two others make a sharp turn at a low altitude and clip a stand of trees along the Rogue River before crashing and bursting into flames, killing all four.

A group of rafters witnessed the accident, according to a preliminary NTSB report. One person said the Cessna's engine was making a high-pitched sound when it crashed shortly after takeoff June 17. Another witness said the airplane's engine "sounded like it was running absolutely fine."

Whether the crash was caused by mechanical problems, pilot error or some other factor remains under investigation. A final report will not be completed for about nine months, said Georgia Struhsaker, chief investigator of the crash for the NTSB.

Sharon Hanson, 61, and Roberta "Bobbe" Way, 65, both of Creswell, died in the accident, along with pilot Vern Robert Miller, 60, and his wife, Elizabeth, 58, of San Jose, Calif.

The crash occurred 11 miles northeast of Agness. Witnesses told investigators that the plane was headed downstream at a low altitude when it banked sharply to the left to turn back upstream.

While still in a steep bank, the plane's wing hit a tree and the craft entered a nose dive and burst into flames.