What happened
On February 24, 2025, at 14:30 CST, a Starduster II, registration N78WT, was involved in an accident near Azle, Texas. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use. The pilot had previously flown the aircraft earlier that day and intended to perform maneuvers within the airport traffic pattern.
During the transition from the downwind leg to the base leg for runway 15, the pilot reported that the aircraft became sluggish and began to sink. The pilot noted a severe drop in the left wing, which he attributed to a tip stall. Although the pilot applied right aileron and right rudder to correct the wing drop, the left wing dropped a second time. The pilot attempted to advance the throttle, but noted a lack of engine response, adding that he was focused on the airport rather than the engine tachometer. The aircraft subsequently descended and impacted the terrain, resulting in a post-crash fire that destroyed the airplane.
The pilot and a passenger sustained 2 minor injuries, and there were 0 fatalities.