Plane Crashes on Willamette River Bar

Pilot and passenger both emerge from the wreckage uninjured

Piper Cub resting on a Willamette River bar near St. Paul Photo Courtesy: OSP

(St. Paul) - State police say two people were not injured Sunday morning when their small plane flipped onto its top while trying to land on a Willamette River gravel bar near San Salvadore County Park west of St. Paul.

Around 12:15 PM, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Troopers Adam Turnbo and Todd Hoodenpyl were on boat patrol in the Willamette River when they came upon the scene of the non-injury plane crash on the gravel bar.

They say the initial investigation indicated that two people in a Piper Cub two-seat plane attempted to land on a gravel bar in the river when it landed short in the water and flipped onto its top on the gravel bar.

The troopers say a second plane landed on the gravel bar to assist the two occupants who were reportedly not injured.

The occupants are identified as the plane's owner, 77-year old Laurence Holman of Canby, and 64-year old Joan Marshall of Estacada.

Investigators said the owner was going to make arrangements to remove the plane.