Piper PA-12 accident near Seagraves, Texas, May 24, 2022
On May 24, 2022 at about 12:00 pm local time, a 1947 Piper PA-12, registered N78466, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Seagraves, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 24, 2022 · about 12:00 pm local time
- Place
- Seagraves, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-12, built 1947 · all PA-12s on the register
- Registration
- N78466 · registry record · serial 12-1978
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot had been observed flying in the area over a period of several weeks at a low altitude and while performing “ag-type maneuvers” over the fields, as he aspired to become an agricultural pilot. There were no witnesses to the accident; the airplane wreckage was discovered in a field by a local farmer. Examination revealed that the airplane impacted terrain in a nose- and right-wing-low attitude, and the orientation of the wreckage was consistent with an aerodynamic stall/spin. There was no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering, possibly at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin, a loss of control, and impact with terrain.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 186.9 hours in all; 95.8 in this make and model; 99.2 in the last 90 days; 64.3 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,258.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 12, 2021
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 17,745 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: F97 Seagraves TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,800 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 7:15 am from KGNC, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KGNC 241215Z AUTO 09007KT 10SM OVC028 15/14 A2985 RMK AO2 T01540141
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on August 15, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NTSB Wreckage Examination Summary | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation - Law Enforcement and Family Acquaintances | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpt of Aircraft Records | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Memorandum for Record A�� Autopsy | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Lycoming | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.