AERONCA 7AC near Broadus, MT — 2009-08-07

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he initiated a descending right turn at a slow airspeed to check on livestock. As he added power to arrest the descent rate, he felt the right wing stall, and the airplane impacted terrain. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed structural damage to the right wing, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot stated that he had no time to recover due to the low altitude, and reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or flight control systems.

NTSB coding

• Aerodynamic stall/spin · Maneuvering-low-alt flying
• Maneuvering Stall

Evidence available

• Photos
• 2 docket documents

Docket documents2

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Photo 1: View of the airplane at the accident site. Courtesy of the pilot.photos

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