Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA388 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 7, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Broadus, Montana
- Nearest airport
- Broadus Airport (00F)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aeronca 7AC
- N-number
- N84787
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.