ERA25LA234

On June 13, 2025, about 15:31 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur built RV-7A, N783RV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Interlachen, Florida. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, the airplane was recently painted, and an annual inspection was completed. The purpose of the flight was to return the airplane from the maintenance facility located at Northeast Alabama Airport (GAD) in Gadsden, Alabama to Melrose Landing Airpark (FD22), Melrose, Florida. On the downwind leg prior to landing at FD-22, he pulled the engine power back to 1,200 rpm and noted that he had 25 gallons of fuel remaining. He then entered a left base and noted that he needed additional power; however, the engine did not respond to power inputs, and the engine ultimately lost all power. He attempted to restart the engine, but he was unable to, and he was forced to make a landing at the edge of a pond. A postaccident inspection by an FAA inspector revealed about 14 gallons of fuel in each fuel tank and the engine contained about 5 quarts of oil. The wreckage was retained for further examination.