Local pilot okay after plane crash near La Grande airport

By Joe Hathaway on Wednesday, July 24th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

LA GRANDE – A local pilot is okay today after a scary emergency landing near the airport.

Union County Dispatch received a call just before 9:00am on July 23 of a plane crash on Bond Avenue and Pierce Road. The pilot was fine and refused medical treatment.

The pilot, who refused to give his name, told Elkhorn Media Group he was flying a friend’s small Piper Cub plane that morning when the engine suddenly failed. He says he was too far away to make the runway at the La Grande Airport. He attempted to land in one field, but there were too many power lines that he feared hitting. He then landed in another nearby field where the plane flipped on its back due to the hard impact and speed of the plane.

Emergency crews responded and worked to remove the plane.