Amateur-built RV-7 accident near Bartow, Georgia, May 5, 2015
On May 5, 2015 at about 2:24 pm local time, a 2011 amateur-built RV-7, registered N364SJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Bartow, Georgia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's use of the improper fuel grade for the engine, which resulted in detonation, engine damage, and loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 5, 2015 · about 2:24 pm local time
- Place
- Bartow, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-7, built 2011
- Registration
- N364SJ · no longer on the register · serial 73046
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, he observed that the engine would not advance past 2,100 rpm, which was 300 rpm below the airplane's normal cruise power setting. The pilot's attempts to troubleshoot the engine issue were unsuccessful, and he chose to conduct a precautionary landing. Shortly after, the oil temperature increased, and oil covered the windshield. During the precautionary landing on a dirt road, the left wingtip impacted the ground and the airplane cart-wheeled, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and rudder. After the accident, about 10 gallons of 90-octane automotive gasoline (auto gas) were drained from the airplane. According to a service letter issued by the engine manufacturer, "Use of lower-than-specified octane fuel could cause detonation and mechanical damage to the engine." The service letter did not list 90-octane auto gas as an approved fuel for use in the accident engine. Examination of the engine also revealed significant thermal damage to the No. 1 cylinder, piston, and rings consistent with detonation, which likely resulted from the pilot's use of the improper fuel grade for the engine.
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
- Wrong fuel during prior to flight
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (cruise)
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid type
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › (general) › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 24, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 401.5 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 20, 2015; 38 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Experimental O-360 (piston); 402 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SBO Swainsboro GA at 2:00 pm
- Destination: LZU Lawrenceville GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.32 inHg
- Observation at 2:15 pm from OKZ, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.