Amateur-built RV-7 accident near Alexander City, Alabama, June 24, 2018
On June 24, 2018 at about 2:20 pm local time, a 2017 amateur-built RV-7, registered N19MM, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (descent) near Alexander City, Alabama (Thomas C Russell Fld airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 24, 2018 · about 2:20 pm local time
- Place
- Alexander City, Alabama · Thomas C Russell Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-7 A, built 2017
- Registration
- N19MM · no longer on the register · serial 72545
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot reported that the accident flight was the first flight in the airplane since he thought the condition inspection was completed. He found out after the accident that the mechanic had not completed the condition inspection nor signed off the maintenance logbook. The mechanic reported that he still had several questions that needed to be answered. The pilot stated that he took off for the personal, cross-country flight and then flew the airplane for 45 minutes. He added that, when the airplane reached 2,000 ft above ground level and he reduced the throttle, the engine “popped” twice and then lost all power. He looked at the fuel gauges, verified that sufficient fuel was onboard, and switched the selector valve to the other tank. The pilot did not believe that the airplane could glide to the runway at the destination airport, so he chose to land the airplane in a field. During the approach, the airplane impacted tree tops and power lines and then terrain. A postcrash fire ensued, which consumed most of the cockpit and forward portion of the airframe. Examination of the engine, which exhibited fire damage but was intact, revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (descent) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during enroute (descent)
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 13,465 hours in all; 75 in this make and model; 123 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 10, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming YIO-360-M1B (piston); 76 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: FFC Atlanta GA at 1:43 pm
- Destination: ALX Alexander City AL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,422 ft by 96 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,100 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from KALX, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on February 28, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Mechanic's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.