Small plane crash at Scappoose Airport sends pilot to a hospital with injuries

An investigation into a single-engine plane crash that occurred Tuesday, July 2, at Scappoose Airport is now in the hands of the National Transportation Safety Board.

The crash, which shut down the airport for a time, sent the pilot to an area hospital with injuries. Authorities did not immediately identify the pilot or the extent of the injuries.

"Oregon State Police used an uncrewed aircraft to document the scene, and they are going to be providing that information to the NTSB," Scappoose Fire Chief Jeff Pricher told the Columbia County Spotlight on Wednesday afternoon, July 3.

Pricher said, "When our crews first arrived, they had to help extricate the patient from the aircraft. Then they transported to one of the local area hospitals."

Pricher noted that it can take over a year for the NTSB to issue a report.

"Generally, the reports can sometimes take anywhere from six months to two years," he said. "They are not quick in their investigative reports."

The Port of Columbia County closed the airport for a time on July 2, but it's currently open.

"When there are events like this that occur, everybody comes together to play a role to mitigate the emergency and the event," Pricher said. "It's wonderful to be able to work with our federal partners, our county partners and our local partners through all of this."

Scappoose Fire District, Oregon State Police, Scappoose Police, Columbia County Sheriff's Office, the Port of Columbia County and Columbia River Fire & Rescue helped out following the single-engine airplane crash.

Editor's note: This story was updated with more information from Scappoose Fire Chief Jeff Pricher.