Amateur-built RV9 accident near Stephenville, Texas, September 28, 2025
On September 28, 2025, a 2005 amateur-built RV9, registered N26AJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) start-up) near Stephenville, Texas (Stephenville Clark Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to ensure the canopy and the cockpit were properly secured during the hand prop sequence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 28, 2025
- Place
- Stephenville, Texas · Stephenville Clark Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV9 A, built 2005
- Registration
- N26AJ · registry record · serial 90444
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After a brief stopover, the engine failed to start due to a dead battery, and the pilot elected to hand prop the engine. The non-certificated passenger was instructed to apply the brakes, and the pilot successfully started the engine. However, when the engine started, the canopy inadvertently closed, which caused a headset to fall. The headset impacted the engine throttle control pushing it forward, and the engine power increased. The airplane subsequently moved uncontrolled across the ramp with the passenger onboard and impacted the terminal building. The airplane came to rest upright, and the right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Ground collision during standing (engine(s) start-up) defining event
- Miscellaneous/other during standing (engine(s) start-up)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › (general) › (general) › Unintentional use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 200 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 1.5 in the last 30 days; 200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 7, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 590.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D1F (piston); 590 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from KSEP
Weather report (METAR): KSEP 272355Z AUTO 11004KT 10SM CLR 28/12 A3001 RMK AO2 T02830121 10312 20283=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident Airplane Overview
Photograph 2 – Right Wing Root Damage
Photograph 3 – Right Wing Leading Edge DamageThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 13, 2026. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.