Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during a low approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was giving a promotional ride in conjunction with an upcoming airport open house. At the time of the accident, he was conducting a flour-bomb drop demonstration. The pilot stated that on the third approach, he became distracted and was not fully paying attention to flying the airplane. The airplane got too low and too slow and stalled; the left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA656 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 13, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cape Girardeau, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- Cape Girardeau Regional (CGI)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Fairchild PT-19A
- N-number
- N19GP
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- ADRP
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.