WPR24FA298

Factual narrative

On September 6, 2024, about 1259 Pacific daylight time, a Boeing A75L3, N53466, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Yacolt, Washington. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The accident airplane was part of a group of three airplanes traveling together. The flight of three departed Ed Carlson Memorial Field/South Lewis County Airport (TDO), Toledo, Washington, with an intended destination of Ken Jernstedt Airfield (4S2), Hood River, Oregon, and maintained loose trail with one another. One of the pilots reported that two of the airplanes made a turn to the east/southeast near Woodland, Washington, and the third airplane maintained a southerly course. The pilot of the airplane on the southerly course heard the pilot of the accident airplane state, “this is the cut we’re going to take.” No further communications were heard from the accident pilot. Two of the three airplanes arrived at 4S2. Their pilots subsequently reported the accident airplane overdue, and an Alert Notice (ALNOT) was issued at 1637. The wreckage was located about 12 miles southeast of Yacolt, in wooded, mountainous terrain by a United States Coast Guard rescue helicopter and ground search and rescue teams from Skamania County Sheriff. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest in a nose low attitude on an approximate heading of 110° magnetic, at an elevation of about 2,751 ft mean sea level. The wreckage was located at the base of an approximate 100 ft tall tree. Multiple impact scars were observed from the base of the tree, to about 50 ft, and several branches from the tree were observed within the wreckage. All major structural components of the airplane were located at the accident site. The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Attention-Pilot
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Mountainous/hilly terrain-Response/compensation
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-High density altitude-Response/compensation