Thursday, April 26, 2018

Controlled Flight into Terrain: Yakovlev Yak 52, N2YK; accident occurred April 26, 2018 near Portland-Hillsboro Airport (KHIO), Washington County, Oregon

View of the accident site.
Federal Aviation Administration


View of the accident site. 
Federal Aviation Administration


The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Hillsboro, Oregon

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N2YK


Location: Hillsboro, OR
Accident Number: WPR18LA127
Date & Time: 04/26/2018, 1620 PDT
Registration: N2YK
Aircraft: YAKOVLEV YAK 52
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Positioning 

On April 26, 2018, about 1620 Pacific daylight time, a Yakolev Yak 52, N2YK, sustained substantial damage during an off-airport landing following a loss of engine power about 3 miles south of the Portland-Hillsboro Airport (HIO), Hillsboro, Oregon. The airline transport pilot and pilot rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning/ferry flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight, which originated from Hobby Field (77S), Creswell, Oregon, about 1530, with an intended destination of Scappoose Industrial Airpark (SPB), Scappoose, Oregon.

Representatives of the pilot reported that he did not have any recollection of the accident flight.

According to a pilot (witness), who was flying in formation with the accident airplane, the flight was abeam the Corvallis Airport, at 4,500 ft mean sea level (msl), when the pilot of the accident airplane informed him that the engine was "starting to miss." The witness asked the accident pilot of his intentions, to which the accident pilot replied he would continue to Hillsboro. As the flight was south of McMinnville Airport (MMV), McMinnville, Oregon, the accident pilot informed the witness that he might need to declare an emergency; however, did not specify the nature of the problem. The witness stated that the flight continued north, despite his repeated attempts to communicate with the accident pilot and tell him to land at MMV with no response.

The witness further stated that at that time, the accident airplane started a moderate descent from 4,500 ft msl, passed his airplane on the right side, and continued a heading toward HIO. The witness then transmitted a position report of nearby airports, with no response from the accident pilot. Shortly after, the accident pilot asked the witness about his location, in which the witness responded that he was in the 5 o'clock position, high, and one mile in trail.

The witness stated that he was convinced that the accident airplane was going to crash into a mountain ridge, as it was still descending. As the flight was east of Yamhill, Oregon, the accident airplane turned left, paralleling the ridge, on a northwesterly heading; however, it had descended to what appeared to be about 150-200 ft agl. The witness again asked the accident pilot of his intentions, with no response. The witness continued to observe the airplane on a northwesterly heading, at a low altitude, before the accident airplane turned to a northeasterly heading. A short time later, the witness saw the accident airplane turn to the right, go under his wing, and impacted trees about 3 miles southwest of HIO.

The witness added that throughout the flight from when the pilot reported the engine "starting to miss" to the time of the accident, they had overflown 6 airports that were "a suitable emergency airport."

The passenger, who was also a rated pilot and mechanic, reported that he recalled arriving at 77S, and the accident airplane was already moved from the hangar. Following a preflight with the pilot, he had signed the special flight permit, so he could add it to the airframe's logbook upon their arrival to SPB. The passenger stated that the engine start and taxi out was normal, and they took off, and climbed to about 3,000 or 4,000 ft, in loose formation with another airplane. The passenger flew the airplane for a while, before turning the airplane control over to the pilot. The passenger stated that sometime after giving control of the airplane to the pilot, the engine began to sputter, followed by the pilot saying they weren't going to SPB, but instead they were headed to Hillsboro. The passenger further stated that he recalled the impact with trees.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the fuselage and left wing were structurally damaged. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Examination of the recovered wreckage by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) and representatives of the FAA revealed that both wings had been separated from the airframe to facilitate wreckage transport. Flight control continuity was established throughout the airframe to all primary flight controls. Separations in the aileron control system was due to removal of the wing and impact damage.

Examination of the cockpit revealed that the throttle, mixture, propeller, and control lever continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the engine. The landing gear lever was "up," magnetos were "off", cowl flaps open, oil cooler half door open, lock lever mid span, carburetor heat off, fire valve mid-way between open and closed, throttle full forward, propeller pitch about 1 inch forward of the aft stop, lock lever full aft, primer in and locked, ventilation control lever full aft. Throttle, mixture, and propeller control lever continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the engine.

The engine remained attached to the airframe via its mounts. All fuel and oil lines appeared to remain secure and attached to their respective fittings. The intake and exhaust systems were impact damaged. No evidence of any exhaust leaks/preexisting damage was observed. The number 8 front and number 3 front spark plugs were impact damaged. The propeller remained attached. One propeller blade separated at the hub, and the opposing propeller blade was fractured/splintered about mid span.

The front spark plugs were removed and examined. The nos. 1, 8, and 9 spark plugs exhibited black deposits within the electrode area. Nos. 7 and 3 were impact damaged. Nos. 6, 5, 4, and 2 were oil soaked.

Rotational continuity of the engine crankshaft and internal valve train was established throughout all cylinders. All intake and exhaust pushrods moved equally when the crankshaft was rotated by hand. The accessory gears rotated accordingly when the crankshaft was rotated by hand.

The fuel vents appeared to be free of debris. The airframe fuel filter was removed and contained a liquid, consistent with 100 low lead fuel within the screen housing. The screen was free of debris. Both wing fuel tanks had been breached.

The carburetor, engine driven fuel pump, and both magnetos were removed for further examination.

Examination of the carburetor, engine driven fuel pump, and magnetos was conducted at the facilities of M14 Inc., Kingman, Arizona, under the supervision of the NTSB IIC. The left and right magnetos were found to be within E-gap and point gap specifications. Both magnetos produced spark and all ignition leads when the magneto drive shafts were rotated. Both magnetos were placed in an oven and heated to 225° F, and subsequently reinstalled on the test stand; both magnetos operated normally for 15 minutes with no anomalies noted.

The engine driven fuel pump was operated and found to function normally with no anomalies noted.

The carburetor was disassembled and inspected visually. No evidence of any preexisting anomalies were noted with the carburetor.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Commercial
Age: 73, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/13/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 19800 hours (Total, all aircraft) 

Pilot-Rated Passenger Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 88, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 07/01/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 1650 hours (Total, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: YAKOVLEV
Registration: N2YK
Model/Series: YAK 52 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1993
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 9311703
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/18/1994, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2899 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 372 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Ivchenko
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: M14P
Registered Owner: CLASSIC AIRCRAFT AVIATION MUSEUM INC
Rated Power: 360 hp
Operator: CLASSIC AIRCRAFT AVIATION MUSEUM INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: HIO, 208 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1553
Direction from Accident Site: 225°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.83 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 11°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Creswell, OR (77S)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown
Destination: Scappoose, OR (SPB)
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time: 1530 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO (HIO)
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 208 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Unknown

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 45.515556, -123.014444

Location: Hillsboro, OR
Accident Number: WPR18LA127
Date & Time: 04/26/2018, 1620 PDT
Registration: N2YK
Aircraft: YAKOVLEV YAK 52
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Ferry

On April 26, 2018, about 1620 Pacific daylight time, a Yakolev Yak52, N2YK, sustained substantial damage during an off-airport landing following a reported loss of engine power about 3 miles south of the Portland-Hillsboro Airport (HIO), Hillsboro, Oregon.  The airline transport pilot and pilot rated passenger sustained serious injuries.  The airplane was registered to and operated by Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a ferry flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight, which originated from Hobby Field (77S), Creswell, Oregon, about 1530, with an intended destination of Scappoose Industrial Airpark (SPB), Scappoose, Oregon.

According to a pilot, who was flying in formation with the accident airplane, the flight was uneventful until west of Salem, Oregon, when the pilot of the accident airplane reported that the engine was misfiring.  The flight continued north, and as they were about 10 miles south of McMinnville Airport (MMV), McMinnville, Oregon, the pilot of the accident airplane informed the pilot that he might need to declare an emergency, however, did not specify the nature of the problem.  

The pilot stated that the flight continued north, despite his transmission to the accident pilot to land at MMV, with no response.  After the flight progressed north of MMV, the pilot observed the accident airplane descend to an altitude of about 150 feet above ground level while on a heading towards HIO.  The pilot stated that the accident airplane remained at that altitude for several minutes until it descended into tree covered terrain about 3 miles southwest of HIO.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuselage and left wing were structurally damaged.  The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: YAKOVLEV
Registration: N2YK
Model/Series: YAK 52 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: CLASSIC AIRCRAFT AVIATION MUSEUM INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: HIO, 208 ft msl
Observation Time: 1553
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots, Variable
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.83 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown
Departure Point: Creswell, OR (77S)
Destination: Scappoose, OR (SPB) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 45.515556, -123.014444



Portland, OR -- The conditions of the pilot and passenger who survived a plane crash into an orchard outside Hillsboro are improving, according to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.

A nursing supervisor told FOX 12 that 73-year-old Gary Hagstrom has been downgraded from "critical condition" to "serious condition." The other man who survived, 88-year-old Gennaro Avolio, is now in "fair condition."

Witnesses said the engine wasn't running and the plane hit a tree before going down.

The two men were pulled by firefighters from the YAK 52 Thursday afternoon. The Washington County Sheriff said the plane was having engine trouble before it crashed.

Sam Peck first heard of his stepfather's crash when one of Hagstrom's friends called him, concerned the plane he was flying might have gone down. Then Peck got a call from the hospital – confirming the devastating news.

"I was shaken up," Peck said. "It was so scary."

Since then, it's been an emotional roller-coaster for the family. They now feel grateful it seems the worst is behind them, and Hagstrom should make a full recovery.

"(The doctors) said he's very lucky to be alive and his guardian angels are working overtime," Peck said.

Peck said Hagstrom is on a ventilator, and although the family hasn't yet been able to speak him, his stepfather seems to be in good spirits. Still, the road to recovery will be a long one.

"He has two cracked vertebrae -- up in the chest area -- a couple cracked ribs, broken sternum, bump on the head from hitting the canopy a couple times, and a broken femur ball socket," Peck said.

Peck said Hagstrom was flying the World War II era Yak 52 as a favor for its owner. The plane belongs to the Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum in Hillsboro.

Hagstrom and Avolio planned to fly it from Creswell to Scappoose, until they had engine trouble, and rerouted – hoping to get to the Hillsboro Airport.

"He was trying to make that field (beyond the orchard), but the gravity got the better of him," Peck said. "It was because of his flight hours that he was just able to guide it in as best as he could."

And Hagstrom is no novice pilot.

Peck estimates his stepfather has about 50 years experience flying: he was a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and then flew many years for American Airlines.

"I know he's a darn good pilot," Peck said, adding that his stepfather's skill likely saved both men's lives.

And although Hagstrom had never flown the Yak 52, Peck said he was familiar with the Russian plane, and even has a similar one sitting in his hanger.

The CJ-6 now waiting for him at home.

"He's stubborn, so he'll try to get back in the air as soon as he can," Peck said.

Peck said he believes his stepfather would have completed a full safety check before takeoff.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are still investigation the cause of the crash.




HILLSBORO, OR (KPTV) - Two men were seriously hurt after a plane they were flying came crashing down just outside Hillsboro Thursday afternoon.

The men, ages 73 and 88, were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to local hospitals, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said. One of the men was transported in a helicopter and the other in an ambulance. 

Both are in serious condition, according to deputies.

The crash occurred in an orchard in the 1000 block of Southwest 331st Avenue.

Workers at the Hillsboro Airport warned Washington County dispatchers that the single-engine Yak-52 aircraft was experiencing engine trouble, the sheriff’s office said.

Washington County and Cornelius deputies responded to the crash scene, climbed into the wreckage and administered first aid to the two men until emergency medical crews arrived.

James Wart, a man who witnessed the crash, said he was working at a nearby fruit stand when he heard the plane coming down. Once the plane came into his line of vision, he says he knew something was seriously wrong. 

"He had it level and stable, but he had no power, so there was nothing he could do," Wart said. “Came over the top of us and did a turn and went over and hit the fir trees and spun into the ground.”

Another neighbor, Joe Van Dyke, also saw the crash.

“It was coming down, looked like it was going to crash, and it hit the fir trees over there and ripped half the wing off and went into the fruit orchard -- my neighbor’s fruit orchard.”

Van Dyke said he and his son-in-law jumped into an ATV to go help. 

At first, they thought the pilot might be dead.

"He had blood coming out his nose and he was cut up pretty bad and was just kind of limped over the front of the fuselage, and the back guy was actually moving and talking," Van Dyke said.

Records show the plane is owned by the Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum in Hillsboro.

It’s not clear where the pilot was headed before the crash.

No other injuries were reported. The sheriff’s office says no property damage was reported.

Other agencies on scene Thursday included Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are investigating. 


Story, video and photo gallery ➤  http://www.kptv.com



UPDATE: Two men were extricated and transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

Two men were hospitalized Thursday afternoon, April 26, after a small aircraft of which they were the sole occupants crashed in between Hillsboro and Cornelius.

According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the single-engine plane went down at 4:20 p.m. Thursday. Cassandra Ulven, a spokeswoman for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, said the two occupants were alive and conscious, with firefighters working to free them. Deputies also assisted in providing medical attention, the Sheriff's Office stated.

Deputy Jeff Talbot said at 5 p.m. that both occupants had been extricated. One was transported by ground ambulance and the other was transported by LifeFlight air ambulance, Talbot said. Their injuries were characterized as serious.

The men are 73 and 88. Their relationship was not immediately clear.

The plane crashed near the intersection of Southwest Tualatin Valley Highway and 331st Avenue, according to Ulven.

The craft was identified as a Yakovlev Yak-52, a type of high-performance single-propeller plane originally built as a Soviet Air Force trainer.



According to Bruce Montgomery, a spokesman for Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, it was a challenge for emergency responders to access the site because of difficult terrain. The plane landed in a filbert orchard, Montgomery said.

The cause of the crash is not yet clear. Montgomery said witnesses reported it came in from the west and the engine may not have been running. An investigation is underway.

Traffic control at the Hillsboro Airport received notice from the plane's pilot that he was declaring a state of emergency, according to an audio recording released Thursday evening. The Washington County Sheriff's Office said dispatchers were notified by the airport that the aircraft was experiencing engine trouble about two minutes prior to the crash at 4:20 p.m.

James Wart, who said he witnessed the crash, said the plane's wing struck the treetops and it passed directly over a powerline.

"There was no engine," Wart said. "He couldn't have been doing more than 20 mph. It was nice and smooth. That was the amazing part, was how controlled the landing was until he hit the tree."

Wart praised the plane's pilot for maintaining control.

"He's a good pilot," said Wart, who was working at a nearby berry stand off Tualatin Valley Highway when he saw the crash. "Any landing you can walk away from is good."

No injuries or damage were reported on the ground, the Washington County Sheriff's Office stated.

Hillsboro Fire & Rescue took the lead in responding to the crash, with other emergency agencies — including the Washington County Sheriff's Office and TVF&R — also on the scene.

The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://pamplinmedia.com

Two men were seriously injured Thursday afternoon after the small passenger plane they were aboard crashed into an orchard outside of Hillsboro, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

The crash was reported around 4:20 p.m. in an orchard at Duyck Family Farms Produce near TV Highway and SW 331st Avenue. The plane was approaching the Hillsboro Airport when it experienced engine trouble, the sheriff's office said.

Responding deputies rendered first aid to the two men inside the single-engine Yakovlev Yak-52 plane until medics arrived.

Crews worked to get them out of the plane. One person was taken to the hospital in a Life Flight helicopter. The other was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

The sheriff's office said the men are 73 and 88 years old. They were both in serious condition Thursday night.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are investigating the crash.

Story, video and photo gallery ➤ http://katu.com

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