Just heard about this:

http://www.oregonlive.com/wilsonville/index.ssf/2011/10/emergency_crews_rush_to_scene.html

Reports are saying one of the planes managed to land safely.

I was right there, at that exact location today between 12-1pm. I can easily see how it could happen, Aurora can get busy on a nice day.

Wow, We just flew by there at 4:30 PM on our way back from the coast. Beautiful day to fly Portland approach was pretty busy. I have had 3 close mid-airs in my time flying and 2 of them were in the Portland area. One at Hillsboro, and 1 coming out of the clouds at McMinnville (we were on an IFR flight plan). Portland's airspace can be hectic, especially on the weekends. Keep yours eyes outside gentleman !! As a flight instructor I've seen way too many pilots heads down fiddling with GPS, maps, or whatever when they should be looking outside. It can happen.

The north valley and SW WA always makes me nervous, a lot of aircraft flying the same routes, especially along the Columbia.

Latest update:

http://www.oregonlive.com/wilsonville/index.ssf/2011/10/one_confirmed_dead_in_crash_af.html

Heard the St Paul fire rigs heading out for this. Was working on roof. Sky was very busy. This area is very popular for flight training as the grass seed fields around here are perfect for emergency landings.
Lotta people buzz the river. We should all make a habit of announcing we are flying the river in the area on 122.9.
A sad crash. Bonanza pilot was a retired state trooper. The guys in the PA44 did a great job getting the plane down safely.
Be safe.

Weasel wrote:Lotta people buzz the river. We should all make a habit of announcing we are flying the river in the area on 122.9.

Good point. If I'm headed west I usually stay on 122.7 for Aurora traffic until I'm about 7 miles out, then switch to 122.9 for Sportsman. That area to the NW of UAO can get really hot, especially if people are doing the recommended 45-to-downwind entry for rwy 35. Most report "over the river," which can really get the neck swiveling.

If I'm on the north side of Nehalem ridge outbound from UAO, I'll switch to 123.05 ASAP as it seems most traffic is inbound/outbound from Twin Oaks. I've had a few surprises through there where someone just appears, despite my scan. One day I rocked my wings to a crop duster who I happened to be converging with, and he "farted" some smoke at me. Pretty cool.

I fly that area all the time going back and forth to the beach. I make a point to fly higher than I would like but to many planes dinking around at 1000-2000'

Fly safe