Amateur-built RV7 accident near Matheson, Colorado, March 1, 2025
On March 1, 2025 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 2016 amateur-built RV7, registered N902T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Matheson, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 1, 2025 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Matheson, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV7, built 2016
- Registration
- N902T · registry record · serial 70284
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 1, 2025, about 1215 mountain daylight time, a Vans RV7 experimental airplane, N902T, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Matheson, Colorado. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to preliminary Automated Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed from Colorado Air and Spaceport (CFO), about 0946. The airplane climbed to about 7,500 mean sea level (msl), and flew to Southeast Colorado Regional Airport, (LAA), arriving about 1030 and refueled. ADS-B data showed the airplane depart LAA about 1136. The flight track showed the airplane fly in a direct direction toward CFO with no major turns or maneuvers. The altitude was ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 above ground level (agl), and the airspeed was generally about 160 knots ground speed. About 1204, the airplane began a slow climb to about 7,000 ft msl for rising terrain. About 1206, the airplane began a descent to about 6,700 ft msl, began a right turn and continued a steady descent. The right turn was about 2.7 degrees per second and remained constant. After about 54 degrees of turn, the airplane had descended to about 800 ft agl prior to the ADS-B data ending. There were no radio or distress calls heard from the pilot during the entire flight. A person who was working outside her home near the accident site heard the airplane flying and then heard a thud type sound. She did not see the airplane and called emergency responders. Examination of the accident site revealed that the impact was consistent with a shallow, high-speed impact, about wings level. The initial impact points were ground scars consistent with the landing gear. The debris field extended about 560 ft from the initial ground scars to the main wreckage. The propeller assembly was found between the initial ground scars and the main wreckage. The propeller assembly was separated at the crankshaft. The separated crankshaft showed torsional twisting consistent with rotation at impact. The propeller blades were bent and twisted consistent with rotation at impact. The engine was located about 415 ft from the main wreckage. The engine side of the fractured crankshaft showed torsional twisting consistent with rotation. Initial examination of the engine did not show any pre-impact anomalies. The entire debris field, from the initial impact ground scars to the engine was about 975 ft, on an approximate bearing of 010 degrees magnetic, and the bearing was consistent with the last in-flight ADS-B data points. Examination of the main wreckage showed that the primary flight cables and surface controls were connected and showed no pre-impact anomalies. The wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further examination.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during unknown defining event
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: LAA Lamar CO at 6:36 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 9 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 16°F (-9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 am from KLIC, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLIC 011855Z AUTO 01009G14KT 10SM CLR 16/M09 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP171 T01561089
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN25FA106.