Amateur-built RV-7A accident near Winslow, Arizona, March 18, 2008
On March 18, 2008 at about 7:15 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-7A, registered N742MJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Winslow, Arizona (Winslow Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall/spin.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 18, 2008 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Winslow, Arizona · Winslow Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-7A
- Registration
- N742MJ · no longer on the register · serial 71128
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses observed the airplane take off and climb to 700-800 feet above the ground. The airplane then banked about 90 degrees, the nose dropped, and it descended towards the ground, impacting the taxiway in a nose low attitude. Witnesses reported that it was not apparent that the pilot attempted to recover from the dive. One witness stated that they heard the engine sputter, then the engine sound increased like the pilot "gunned it." The witness saw the airplane "go straight up" after the increase in engine noise, and then roll after the nose dropped so that she was looking at the top of the wings and cockpit of the airplane as it disappeared behind buildings. Another witness reported that the engine was very loud during the dive. Post crash inspection of the wreckage found that both the airframe and engine were severely fragmented. Remains of all flight controls were within the wreckage. Continuity was established for the aileron controls, but extensive damage to the fuselage precluded any determination for the elevator controls. The engine exhibited extensive impact damage and fragmentation; however, signatures consistent with power production were observed on the propeller. This was the pilot's second flight in the airplane.
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 control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Taxiway condition › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,500 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: INW Winslow AZ at 7:05 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 7,100 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 11 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 6:56 pm from INW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.