Aeronca 7AC accident near Early, Texas, January 11, 2026
On January 11, 2026 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 1946 Aeronca 7AC, registered N85018, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Early, Texas (Flying S Air Ranch Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 11, 2026 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Early, Texas · Flying S Air Ranch Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7AC, built 1946 · all 7ACs on the register
- Registration
- N85018 · registry record · serial 7AC-3743
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 10XS Early TX
- Destination: 10XS Early TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 2,700 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 16°F (-9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.49 inHg
- Observation at 4:00 pm from KBWD, 2 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KBWD 112155Z AUTO 09005KT 10SM CLR 16/M09 A3049 RMK AO2 T01651088 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.