Amateur-built RV7 accident near Pottstown, Pennsylvania, July 4, 2021
On July 4, 2021 at about 4:52 pm local time, a 2019 amateur-built RV7, registered N654C, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Pottstown, Pennsylvania (Heritage Fld airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2021 · about 4:52 pm local time
- Place
- Pottstown, Pennsylvania · Heritage Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV7 A, built 2019
- Registration
- N654C · no longer on the register · serial 71046
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that, after a normal preflight inspection and engine run-up, the engine lost all power about 800 ft above ground level during takeoff. He attempted to return to the airport; however, the airplane impacted terrain before the runway and a postcrash fire ensued. Most of the airplane was destroyed by fire. The extensive thermal damage precluded examination of the engine, and 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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 180 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 180 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 30, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 20, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EZ3.0 (piston); 3 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10/2, 3,371 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft; a few clouds at 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observation at 12:54 pm from PTW
Weather report (METAR): KPTW 011654Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM FEW010 FEW060 BKN120 24/21 A2991 RMK AO2 RAE18 SLP123 P0000 T02390211
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on May 24, 2023. 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, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 5 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.