Casualties unknown

Pilot Encounters Stall During Low-Level Predator Control Flight (N6792B)

Zurich, MT, US

On July 15, 2003, a Piper PA-18A (registration N6792B) operated by Prairie Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Zurich, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During a low-level predator control operation, the pilot experienced a stall while turning left. After leveling the wings, a secondary stall occurred, leading to ground impact.

Flight Details

The pilot was conducting low-level predator control operations in a slow flight configuration with flaps set to half. The aircraft was maneuvering at an altitude of 30 to 40 feet above ground level.

Sequence of Events

While performing a left turn from west to east, the pilot felt initial indications of the airplane entering a stall. In response, the pilot rolled the wings level. However, the aircraft then entered a secondary stall. Subsequently, the aircraft impacted the ground in a slight nose-down, wings-level attitude.

Conclusion

The accident sequence involved a stall during a low-altitude turn, followed by a secondary stall after the pilot attempted to level the wings. No further operational factors are described in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030718X01152. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.