Aeronca 7AC | N12DF
September 24th, 2026 | Hesperia, California
Accident Location
- City: Hesperia
- State: California
- Latitude: 34.359333
- Longitude: -117.33933
- Airport ID: L26
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N12DF
- Make: Aeronca
- Model: 7AC
- Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built: No
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Kapulnik, Guy
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 46
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: Yes
- Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
- IFR Rating: Yes
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: 1st Class Medical
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: September 24th, 2026
- Time: 9:45 AM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Enroute
- Total People Onboard: 2
- PIC Fatality: 1
- PAX Fatalities: 1
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 2
- NTSB No: WPR26FA355
- NTSB Travel: Yes
- AQP Classification: 12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot did maneuver the aircraft in flight well below DMMS speed, whereupon the aircraft became fully aerodynamically stalled and then entered a full spin at an altitude below which a recovery was not possible. The aircraft impacted terrain in a nearly vertical flight path. There was no visible ground scar observed surrounding the wreckage.
NTSB: NONE
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to honor DMMS at all times when in flight below 2500 feet AGL, and to limit bank angles to 30 degrees or less while maintaining DMMS. Even very strong stall and spin recovery is skill sets are often useless at lower altitudes. The DTSB recommends a prevention based mindset by marking DMMS on each airs[peed indicator, and honoring that minimum speed reference during all maneuvering flight below 2500 feet AGL.
NTSB: NONE
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.