Yakovlev Yak 52 accident near Vancouver, WA
On May 2, 2008, a Yakovlev Yak 52 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Vancouver, WA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 2, 2008
- Place
- Vancouver, WA
- Aircraft
- Yakovlev Yak 52 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 45.663°N, 122.472°W
- NTSB ID
- 20080508X00636
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 2, 2008, approximately 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Yakovlev Yak 52 airplane, N62813, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near the Green Mountain Airport (WA67), Vancouver, Washington. The commercial pilot and his passenger were killed. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that departed from WA67 about five minutes prior to the time of the accident. A witness located at WA67 reported observing the airplane depart the airport to the west and execute a 180-degree turn back towards the airport. The witness stated the airplane made a high-speed pass over the runway about 30 to 40 feet above ground level (agl) on an easterly heading and pitched upwards abruptly near the end of the runway into a steep climb out. During the steep climb out, the airplane was observed performing an "aileron roll to the right." At the completion of the roll, the airplane appeared to be in a level attitude when a slight movement was observed, "as if it hit turbulence." The airplane subsequently descended in a nose-low attitude, eventually descending below a tree line. A second witness located about one half mile east of the runway reported observing the airplane over fly his position at an altitude below 200 feet agl. The witness stated that the engine sounded like it was running at a high power setting as the airplane rolled upside down to the right and remain
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed sufficient to avoid a stall during a low altitude aerobatic maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude at which the pilot initiated the maneuver.
More accidents in WA
- Dehavilland DHC-3, Sep 4, 2022
- Cessna 208B, Oct 8, 2007
- Cessna 172P, Dec 7, 1991
- Piper PA-32-260, Jul 29, 2001
- Beech A60, Nov 21, 1992
Browse: Washington
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
