Vans Aircraft RV-7A accident near West Point, Virginia, November 5, 2007
On November 5, 2007 at about 9:35 pm local time, a Vans Aircraft RV-7A, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N723EP, was substantially damaged in an accident near West Point, Virginia (Middle Peninsula 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
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 2007 · about 9:35 pm local time
- Place
- West Point, Virginia · Middle Peninsula · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Vans Aircraft RV-7A, amateur-built · all RV-7As on the register
- Registration
- N723EP · no longer on the register · serial 72609
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amateur-built Vans Aircraft RV-7A, had climbed to an altitude of 2,500 feet, and was in cruise flight, when the engine experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine, and performed a forced landing to a bean field. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, fuselage, and both wing spars. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of any preimpact malfunctions. In addition, fuel observed in the carburetor and gascolator was absent of contamination. The airplane had undergone an initial airworthiness inspection, about 9 days prior to the accident and the engine had been operated about 7 total hours since new.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,301 hours in all; 47 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,244 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 1, 2007; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aero Sport O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2W6 Leonardtown MD at 9:10 pm
- Destination: FYJ West Point VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 9:22 pm from FYJ, 10 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.