Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed during approach and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, during approach to the airport, he noted that the airplane felt “heavy and sluggish.” The pilot realized the airplane was nearing its stall speed and low on its glidepath, and he attempted to correct by adding engine power and raising the nose; however, the airplane subsequently stalled and impacted terrain short of the runway. As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the pilot received serious injuries.
The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA252 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 5, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Greenleaf, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Greenleaf Air Ranch (ID90)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dawn
Fairchild M-62A
- N-number
- N53953
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1942
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.