PIPER PA-12
Deer Island, OR, March 19, 2026
Event Information
| Date | March 19, 2026 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Deer Island, OR |
| Country | USA |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | WPR26LA133 |
| Event ID | 20260324202683 |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA-12 |
| Registration # | N7632H |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | - |
| Weather | - |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Full Narrative
On March 18, 2026, about 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-12, 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.
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 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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.