Accident Details
On March 18, 2026, about 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-12, registration N7632H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Linn, Oregon. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The flight departed Portland Hillsboro Airport (HIO), Hillsboro, Oregon, about 1500, en route to an off-airport landing area on Goat Island, located in the Willamette River. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Takeoff and Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that, during takeoff from an unimproved surface on Goat Island, the airplane accelerated normally. As the airplane reached rotation speed and became light on the landing gear, it made a sudden, sharp left turn. The airplane departed the takeoff area, traveled over the shoreline, and came to rest in the Willamette River, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear had separated. The forward attach point exhibited longitudinal tears, and the aft attach point displayed cracking and buckling of the rear gear leg.
The airplane was recovered to a secure location. The left main landing gear leg was retained for further examination.