LA CENTER, Wash. — A legend in the Northwest flying community and noted science fiction writer, Mary H. Rosenblum, died in a single-engine airplane crash in Clark County on Sunday afternoon.
The plane, a Piper Super Cub "tail dragger" style of aircraft, crashed into a wooded area at about 1 p.m., south of Daybreak Field, a grassy field located in the 4100 block of J.A. Moore Road between La Center and Battleground.
The plane sustained significant damage and Rosenblum, 65, of Canby, was found dead inside the wreckage.
Rosenblum was traveling with a friend, who was piloting a different aircraft. The two pilots, both from Oregon, intended to stop at Daybreak Field. The other pilot did not see the crash.
Many will forever remember Mary Rosenblum as a woman on top of the world.
“She a wonderful person, she was excited about flying all the time,” said friend Mitch Swecker, a retired Navy helicopter pilot. “Outgoing, fun."
As Swecker and others know, Rosenblum was passionate about planes. So much so, the Oregonian featured her in this article from 2012.
She's also featured in "Ladies Love Taildraggers” a site dedicated to women pilots, standing next to a plane that looks like the one that crashed.
Rosenblum was a leader for women in the aviation industry. Articles about her say she took up flying as a single mom, in her 50s, after her kids were grown.
She loved it so much, she once was president of the Oregon Pilots Association.
“She wrote an article for the Oregon Pilots Association newsletter,” said Swecker. “She did inspire people. She wrote a lot about flying. She was a writer by trade.”
Her passion for writing led to blogs and articles about her adventures, and even to the science fiction community, where she authored several books.
“Everybody knew her. it's a huge loss to the Oregon and Washington aviation community,” said Swecker. “A huge loss.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the crash.