Amateur-built RV-7A accident near Interlachen, Florida, June 13, 2025
On June 13, 2025 at about 5:51 pm local time, a 2013 amateur-built RV-7A, registered N783RV, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Interlachen, Florida (Melrose Landing airport). 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 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 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 13, 2025 · about 5:51 pm local time
- Place
- Interlachen, Florida · Melrose Landing · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-7A, built 2013
- Registration
- N783RV · registry record · serial 74002
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On June 13, 2025, about 15:31 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur built RV-7A, N783RV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Interlachen, Florida. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, the airplane was recently painted, and an annual inspection was completed. The purpose of the flight was to return the airplane from the maintenance facility located at Northeast Alabama Airport (GAD) in Gadsden, Alabama to Melrose Landing Airpark (FD22), Melrose, Florida. On the downwind leg prior to landing at FD-22, he pulled the engine power back to 1,200 rpm and noted that he had 25 gallons of fuel remaining. He then entered a left base and noted that he needed additional power; however, the engine did not respond to power inputs, and the engine ultimately lost all power. He attempted to restart the engine, but he was unable to, and he was forced to make a landing at the edge of a pond. A postaccident inspection by an FAA inspector revealed about 14 gallons of fuel in each fuel tank and the engine contained about 5 quarts of oil. The wreckage was retained 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
- Loss of engine power (total) during landing defining event
- Ditching during landing
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,886.2 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 10, 2025; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: GAD Gadsden AL at 3:12 pm
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from K42J, 11 miles away
Weather report (METAR): K42J 131755Z AUTO 18008G15KT 8SM FEW065 SCT070 SCT085 31/20 A3009 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.