Plane Receives Minor Damage During Landing at La Grande Area Airport

Three Men were uninjured, the trio were on a golfing trip to La Grande.

Photo courtesy: Oregon State Police

(LA GRANDE, Ore.) - A Madras man and his two passengers were not injured Wednesday morning when their plane came in too fast for a landing and stopped off the runaway with minor damage.

The trio were on a golfing trip to La Grande.

Oregon State Police Sergeant Jason Stone says today at approximately 8:30 a.m. a small airplane piloted by 78-year old Douglas A. Shapard of Madras, was attempting to land at the La Grande / Union County airport about 3 miles north of La Grande.

"Shapard reported he came in too fast for the landing and traveled off the runaway before stopping. The plane received minor damage and none of the 3 occupants were injured," Stone said.

OSP troopers from the La Grande Area Command office are completing the initial investigation and the Federal Aviation Administration has been notified. La Grande Fire Department also responded.