Summary
On July 04, 2021, a Vans RV7 (N654C) was involved in an incident near Pottstown, PA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: A total loss of power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
On July 4, 2021, about 1252 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-7A, N654C, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the airplane, a preflight inspection and engine run-up were normal. During the initial climb after takeoff, at 800 ft mean sea level, the engine lost all power and the pilot attempted to return to the airport; however, the airplane impacted terrain before the runway and a postcrash fire ensued.
The pilot reported that, at the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued about 3.4 total flight hours.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA21LA277. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N654C.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A total loss of power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 4, 2021, about 1252 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-7A, N654C, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the airplane, a preflight inspection and engine run-up were normal. During the initial climb after takeoff, at 800 ft mean sea level, the engine lost all power and the pilot attempted to return to the airport; however, the airplane impacted terrain before the runway and a postcrash fire ensued.
The pilot reported that, at the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued about 3.4 total flight hours. He reported that the airplane logbooks were in the airplane at the time of the accident.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site, only the outer portions of both wings and a portion of the tail were undamaged by the fire. The engine and cockpit sustained extensive fire damage. The electric ignition system, wiring harness, and fuel pumps were all fractured and melted. The airplane was equipped with a Subaru engine. The automotive fuel that the pilot used to fuel the airplane was stored in a bucket in the pilot’s hangar. It did not contain any water or other visible contaminants.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA21LA277