Amateur-built RV-7A accident near Novato, California, July 14, 2012
On July 14, 2012 at about 11:00 pm local time, a 2007 amateur-built RV-7A, registered N404JT, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Novato, California (Gnoss Field Airport). It was a personal flight 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 partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to control a forward slip to reduce the altitude and airspeed to attain a proper touchdown point during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2012 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Novato, California · Gnoss Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-7A, built 2007
- Registration
- N404JT · no longer on the register · serial 71352
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the takeoff climb, he reduced the engine power setting and that, shortly after, the engine did not respond, and he noted that the engine manifold pressure was 5 inches. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the problem by adjusting the throttle and mixture controls without success. He chose to return to the airport for a precautionary landing; however, he was unsure if the airplane could reach the active runway, so he then chose to land on the closest runway with a 6- to 9-knot tailwind. Due to excessive altitude and airspeed for landing on that runway, the pilot did not use flaps and attempted a forward slip. The airspeed continued to increase during the descent, and the airplane landed midway down the runway. The airplane subsequently overran the runway end, traversed a ditch, and came to rest inverted. If the pilot had been able to control the slip to reduce the altitude and airspeed, he might have been able to land the airplane at a point on the runway with adequate distance to stop it. Postaccident engine examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Landing area overshoot during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Landing distance › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 104.5 hours in all; 23.7 in this make and model; 8.3 in the last 90 days; 2.7 in the last 30 days; 8.8 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 289.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2012; 290 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Superior SL-IO-360-B1C (piston); 288 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DVO Novato CA at 10:30 pm
- Destination: DVO Novato CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 3,300 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from DVO
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.