Man Walks Away From Plane Crash

Cessna 150 flipped on landing after engine failure Photo Courtesy: Washington County Sheriff

(Hillsboro) - The pilot and sole occupant of a plane survived a crash Thursday near Hillsboro. Around 9:09 AM, Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Firefighters from Washington County Fire District #2, responded to the scene of the crash in unincorporated Washington County.

Deputies say they received a report from the Portland Airport tower that a "mayday" was broadcast, and an Emergency Location Transmitter (ELT) had been activated in the area of the Twin Oaks Airport. Deputies and Firefighters say they found the plane upside-down in a plowed field. The pilot of the plane, 35-year old William Inman of Portland, was out of the aircraft and appeared uninjured.

Inman reported that he had to make an emergency landing after the engine of the aircraft stalled. He said he landed in the field and when he hit a patch of soft dirt, the plane flipped over and landed upside-down. He said he was practicing a solo flight, but had not yet received his pilot's license.

The plane Inman was flying was a 1974 Cessna 150. It is owned by the Twin Oaks Airport, located at 12405 SW River Rd.

The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the scene and took over the investigation. No word as to whether Inman is facing charges for flying unlicensed.