N55464

On November 18, 2024, at 1630 eastern standard time, a Boeing A75N1 (PT17), N55464, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Huntington, West Virginia. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The airplane departed from Robert Newlon Field Airport (I41), Huntington, West Virgina about 1615. According to the pilot, approximately 8 miles from the departure airport, the “engine stopped.” The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but was unable, and subsequently he elected to make an emergency landing in a rail yard.

A pilot and passenger in a second airplane flying with the accident airplane recorded the decent and emergency landing. There was no visible smoke trailing from the airplane. The video shows the airplane impacting soft terrain in a wings level orientation before abruptly stopping. The witness in the second airplane stated that he observed the accident pilot fuel the airplane and that he assisted him with the preflight inspection. The accident airplane started immediately and was operating for about 10 minutes before the departure to allow the engine oil to come to temperature.

The pilot witness stated that the preflight inspection consisted of checking the tire pressure, control surfaces, oil and fuel quantities. He also commented that in a Stearman, the propeller needs to be pulled through about 10 times prior to starting and that they did not feel anything unusual when doing so. The witness did not notice if the pilot added oil to the airplane.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.