# NTSB NYC07CA016: Jahns RV-7, N916R, Farmingdale, NJ, October 31, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 31, 2006, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC) - Place: Farmingdale, NJ - Coordinates: 40.186668, -74.124725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1867&lon=-74.1247&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64790 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64790/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA016 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to a disconnected throttle/power lever linkage. A contributingfactor was the owner/builder's improper installation of the throttle linkage. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected - maintenance,installation - improper, owner/builder (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The builder/owner of the amateur built RV-7 hired the pilot, who was also a designated airworthiness representative, to inspect the airplane and to perform its first test flight. During the preflight inspection, the pilot did not remove the cowling to inspect the engine compartment. The pilot completed the test flight and returned to the airport for landing. On final approach, he adjusted the throttle, but the engine did not respond and he could not increase or decrease power. He then extended the flaps and "slipped" the airplane, but was "going too fast and was too high" to land. He turned the airplane to land on another runway, but during the turn, the airplane "lost altitude" and impacted the ramp area. An inspection of the airplane following the accident revealed that throttle control was disconnected from the fuel servo. The throttle linkage connecting bolt and several washers were found loose inside the engine cowling. The corresponding castellated retaining nut and respective cotter key were not located. During an interview, the owner/builder stated that he "may have forgotten to install the cotter key." ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the builder/owner of the amateur built RV-7 hired the pilot, who was also a designated airworthiness representative, to inspect the airplane and to perform its first test flight. During the preflight inspection, the pilot did not remove the cowling to inspect the engine compartment. The pilot completed the test flight and returned to the airport for landing. On final approach, he adjusted the throttle, but the engine did not respond and he could not increase or decrease power. He then extended the flaps and "slipped" the airplane, but was "going too fast and was too high" to land. He turned the airplane to land on another runway, but during the turn, the airplane "lost altitude" and impacted the ramp area. An inspection of the airplane following the accident revealed that throttle control was disconnected from the fuel servo. The throttle linkage connecting bolt and several washers were found loose inside the engine cowling. The corresponding castellated retaining nut and respective cotter key were not located. During an interview, the owner/builder stated that he "may have forgotten to install the cotter key." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N916R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N916R-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 70404, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jahns RV-7 - Registry model: [Jahns Richard J RV-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/jahns-richard-j-rv-7) (registry code 056217X) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Superior IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/superior-io-360-series) (registry code 59251, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 70404 - Engines: Superior Air Parts XP-IO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: BLM, Farmingdale, NJ - Destination: BLM - Airport: BLM, Monmouth Executive Airport, runway 21 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 6,750 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## Other investigations on N916R (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC08FA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA239), Jul 5, 2008: Jahns Vans RV-7 (N916R), Neptune, NJ, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: An in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons. 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.