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February 24, 2025 · Starduster II · N78WT

Azle, TX

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 24, 2025
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Azle, TX
Aircraft
Starduster II (1980)
Tail Number
N78WT
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN25LA103

On February 24, 2025, at 1430 central standard time, a Starduster II airplane, N78WT, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Azle, Texas. The private pilot and a passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot had flown the airplane earlier in the day and planned on flying the airplane in the airport traffic pattern at the time of the accident. He said the takeoff was normal and during the downwind to base leg turn for runway 15, the airplane became sluggish and was sinking. He said the left wing dropped severely, which he attributed to a tip stall. He corrected for the wing drop by applying right aileron and right rudder inputs. The left wing rose and then dropped again. He said the airplane was not equipped with a stall warning system. He advanced the engine throttle but did not feel a response. He said that he was not looking at the engine tachometer because he was looking at the airport. The airplane descended and impacted terrain. A postcrash fire ensued, which destroyed the airplane. The airplane was retained for further examination.

Full Narrative

On February 24, 2025, at 1430 central standard time, a Starduster II airplane, N78WT, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Azle, Texas. The private pilot and a passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot had flown the airplane earlier in the day and planned on flying the airplane in the airport traffic pattern at the time of the accident. He said the takeoff was normal and during the downwind to base leg turn for runway 15, the airplane became sluggish and was sinking. He said the left wing dropped severely, which he attributed to a tip stall. He corrected for the wing drop by applying right aileron and right rudder inputs. The left wing rose and then dropped again. He said the airplane was not equipped with a stall warning system. He advanced the engine throttle but did not feel a response. He said that he was not looking at the engine tachometer because he was looking at the airport. The airplane descended and impacted terrain. A postcrash fire ensued, which destroyed the airplane. The airplane was retained for further examination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CST
Nearest AirportFlying Oaks Airport (1nm NNE)
Runway15
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width15 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStarduster II
Tail NumberN78WT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 12 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time13:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data