Amateur-built Vans RV-7 accident near Liberty, South Carolina, September 29, 2023
On September 29, 2023 at about 12:10 pm local time, a 2023 amateur-built Vans RV-7, registered N557JM, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Liberty, South Carolina (Pickens County airport). It was a flight test 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
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll which resulted in a runway excursion and substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 29, 2023 · about 12:10 pm local time
- Place
- Liberty, South Carolina · Pickens County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Vans RV-7, built 2023
- Registration
- N557JM · registry record · serial 70912
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After completing a successful landing, the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane applied engine power to begin the takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer right. The pilot applied left rudder to correct; however, the airplane veered left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane impacted the precision approach path indicators light system resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 151 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 53 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 31, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 0.7 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, June 15, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aerosport Power IO-360-M1S (piston); 1 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 5,002 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 am from LQK
Weather report (METAR): KLQK 291215Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 13/13 A3013 RMK AO2 T01300127
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Overview of damage to the left wing.
Photograph 2 – View of damage to the left wing leading edge.
Photograph 3 – View of damage to the left wing.
Photograph 4 – View of damage to the left horizontal stabilizer.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on November 9, 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 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | 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.