Amateur-built VANS RV-9A accident near Tucson, Arizona, June 29, 2007
On June 29, 2007 at about 12:25 pm local time, a amateur-built VANS RV-9A, registered N394RS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tucson, Arizona (Ryan Field 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 loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted from the owner/builder's improper adjustment of the supercharger waste gate valve, that resulted in the failure of the waste gate servo motor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2007 · about 12:25 pm local time
- Place
- Tucson, Arizona · Ryan Field Airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VANS RV-9A
- Registration
- N394RS · no longer on the register · serial 90534
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff initial climb, the pilot noted a high manifold pressure, and engaged the supercharger pressure override, but the manifold pressure remained the same. The engine began to lose power, and the airplane was no longer able to sustain a climb. The pilot attempted an emergency landing. During the landing sequence, the main gear hit brush and soft dirt, the nose gear dug in, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane was powered by an Eggenfellner EJ-25, which was a water cooled, four cylinder, supercharged, Subaru automobile engine converted for aircraft use. Post accident examination of the engine revealed that a failed waste gate servo motor had prevented the waste gate valve from opening. Prior to the accident, the pilot adjusted the waste gate valve such that it was allowed to go over center and stick, causing failure of the servo motor.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 236 hours in all; 57 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 182 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 50 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 1, 2007; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Eggenfellner EJ-25 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RYN Tucson AZ at 12:22 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6R, 5,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from TUS, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.