What happened
On March 18, 2026, at approximately 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-12, registration N7632H, was involved in an accident near West Linn, Oregon. The flight originated from Portland Hillsboro Airport (HIO) at approximately 1500, with the intention of landing at an off-airport location on Goat Island in the Willamette River.
Weather conditions during the flight were visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 110 degrees at 4 knots. No flight plan had been filed for the flight.
According to the pilot, the aircraft accelerated normally while taking off from an unimproved surface on Goat Island. However, as the aircraft reached rotation speed and became light on its landing gear, it executed a sudden, sharp left turn. This caused the aircraft to depart the takeoff area, cross the shoreline, and come to rest in the Willamette River. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot was not injured.