# NTSB ERA21LA277: Vans RV7, N654C, Pottstown, PA, July 4, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 4, 2021, 12:52 local (16:52 UTC) - Place: Pottstown, PA - Coordinates: 40.239687, -75.556144 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2397&lon=-75.5561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103413 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103413/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103413 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA277 ## Probable cause A total loss of power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Wayne Halbsgut VANS ACFT RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05638RR), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Wayne Halbsgut VANS ACFT RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05638RR), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Wayne Halbsgut VANS ACFT RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05638RR), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, after a normal preflight inspection and engine run-up, the engine lost all power about 800 ft above ground level during takeoff. He attempted to return to the airport; however, the airplane impacted terrain before the runway and a postcrash fire ensued. Most of the airplane was destroyed by fire. The extensive thermal damage precluded examination of the engine, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N654C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N654C-2022-08-18), registration cancelled 2022-08-18, S/N 71046, built 2020 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANS RV7 (A) - Registry model: [Wayne Halbsgut VANS ACFT RV-7A](https://openairdocs.org/model/wayne-halbsgut-vans-acft-rv-7a) (registry code 05638RR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 71046 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 3.4 - Engines: Subaru EZ3.0 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 2020 - Airport: PTW, Heritage Fld, runway 10/28, 3,371 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 180 total, 3 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.91 inHg - Observed at: PTW - METAR: KPTW 011654Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM FEW010 FEW060 BKN120 24/21 A2991 RMK AO2 RAE18 SLP123 P0000 T02390211 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 24, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103413. 8.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12648459&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12653581&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12649523&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.