On Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at approximately 1:30PM, the Oregon State Police responded to the report of a small plane that had crashed into the Columbia River near Clatskanie. Initial information indicated the plane was upside down in the water on a sandbar. The US Coast Guard along with an OSP boat, which was nearby responded to the scene. The USCG arrived prior to OSP's arrival and had recovered the pilot and transported him to Pearson Airfield in Vancouver. The pilot was uninjured and identified as 67 year old Douglas Paul PFLUGRADT, from Mattawa, Washington. There were no passengers in the aircraft. The location of the crash was determined to be on Wallace Island.
PFLUGRADT indicated he was attempting to land on a sandbar of Wallace Island because he was experiencing mechanical issues. The aircraft PFLUGRADT was operating is identified as a Kit Fox Super Sport. During PFLUGRADT's attempt to land, the aircraft flipped onto its top. Recovery efforts are underway to remove the aircraft prior to the rising tide. The investigation is continuing.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by the US Coast Guard, Washington State Patrol, Oregon Emergency Management, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.