# NTSB CEN25LA399: Vans RV9, N26AJ, Stephenville, TX, September 28, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 27, 2025, 19:15 local (Sep 28, 2025, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Stephenville, TX - Coordinates: 32.215322, -98.177725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2153&lon=-98.1777&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 201743 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA399 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201743/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201743 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA399 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to ensure the canopy and the cockpit were properly secured during the hand prop sequence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jacobs Armin B VANS RV9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056195A), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Jacobs Armin B VANS RV9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md?model=056195A), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Jacobs Armin B VANS RV9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056195A), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Jacobs Armin B VANS RV9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=056195A), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26AJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26AJ), registered now, S/N 90444, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANS RV9 (A) - Registry model: [Jacobs Armin B VANS RV9A](https://openairdocs.org/model/jacobs-armin-b-vans-rv9a) (registry code 056195A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 90444 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 590.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D1F 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2025 - Airport: SEP, Stephenville Clark Regional - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 7, 2025; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 200 total, 150 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1.5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KSEP - METAR: KSEP 272355Z AUTO 11004KT 10SM CLR 28/12 A3001 RMK AO2 T02830121 10312 20283= ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201743. 30.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 28.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19920478&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ntsb%20foms_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19921203&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.