Small plane crashes on sandbar in Columbia River

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Authorities said a pilot was not injured when his small plane crashed onto a sandbar in the Columbia River and flipped.

Oregon State Police said the crash happened Tuesday afternoon on Wallace Island near Clatskanie.

The Coast Guard rescued the pilot identified by police as 67-year-old Douglas Pflugradt of Mattawa, Washington. Police said he was taken to Pearson Airfield in Vancouver.

Police said Pflugradt was attempting to land the Kit Fox Super Sport aircraft on a sandbar because he was experiencing mechanical issues. They said the aircraft flipped upside down during the landing.

Authorities were working to remove the aircraft.

An initial report said two people aboard were injured, but police said later that the pilot was the only person in the plane.

Authorities are investigating.