NTSB Factual Report

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.