Authorities have concluded that the fatal crash of a small aircraft west of Bend on Tuesday evening was an intentional act following an extensive multi-agency response that unfolded over several hours in Central Oregon.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced that detectives determined the pilot of a Cirrus SR22T intentionally brought the aircraft down in a remote forested area at approximately 6:46 p.m. on Aug. 4. The pilot, identified as 48-year-old Steven Nicholas Charlton of Bend, was the only person aboard the aircraft and died from injuries sustained in the crash. Officials reported that no one on the ground was injured and no additional property damage resulted from the incident.
According to investigators, Charlton departed from Bend Municipal Airport at approximately 1:30 p.m. and remained in the air for more than five hours. Flight activity during that period showed the aircraft repeatedly circling over a heavily wooded area west of the city, prompting increasing concern among authorities as the situation developed.
Law enforcement agencies attempted to establish communication with the pilot throughout the flight. Investigators said Charlton indicated that he wished to communicate only with members of his family. As uncertainty surrounding the circumstances continued, emergency officials coordinated a broad public safety response designed to prepare for a range of possible outcomes while minimizing any potential risk to surrounding communities.
The coordinated operation involved personnel from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration, Bend Fire & Rescue and the Central Oregon Irrigation District. Officials also confirmed that the FBI communicated with the Air Force installation in Klamath Falls as part of the broader response effort while the aircraft remained airborne.
Authorities have not released additional information regarding the communications between the pilot and law enforcement or what factors ultimately led investigators to conclude the crash was intentional. Officials have likewise not disclosed whether any emergency measures were considered before the aircraft descended into the remote crash site.
The aircraft involved was identified as a Cirrus SR22T, a high-performance single-engine airplane commonly used for personal and business aviation. Federal records indicate the aircraft is registered to So Fly Aviation, LLC, based in Eugene, and received its current FAA certification on March 3, 2025.
Investigators continue to secure the crash scene, where access remains restricted because of ongoing safety concerns. Officials said hazardous conditions remain in the area while evidence is documented and recovered.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have assumed responsibility for the federal investigation into the crash. Although local investigators have determined the descent was intentional, federal authorities will conduct an independent examination of the aircraft, the flight, operational history and other available evidence to formally document the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As part of that investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board is seeking assistance from the public. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the aircraft during its flight, observed the crash, or had contact with Charlton at Bend Municipal Airport before departure to provide information that could assist in reconstructing the timeline leading up to the incident.
The investigation remains active as federal investigators continue collecting evidence, examining the aircraft and reviewing available records to determine the full sequence of events preceding the fatal crash.