Amateur-built VANS RV 7A accident near Dayton, Nevada, March 8, 2015
On March 8, 2015 at about 10:20 pm local time, a 2006 amateur-built VANS RV 7A, registered N51MJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Dayton, Nevada (Dayton Valley Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power during descent for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 8, 2015 · about 10:20 pm local time
- Place
- Dayton, Nevada · Dayton Valley Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VANS RV 7A, built 2006
- Registration
- N51MJ · registry record · serial 70661
- 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 he departed the airport and flew at cruise altitude at 11,500 ft. About 10 miles from his destination airport, he started the descent to the traffic pattern altitude of about 6,000 ft. About 3 miles from the airport, he realized that the engine had quit without any indications or warning. The propeller was still windmilling, and he checked the engine gauges and noted that the oil pressure and temperature indications were good. He switched fuel tanks and tried to restart the engine without success. The airplane landed in a field short of the runway and then came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that he usually keeps the mixture control lever about half to three-quarters of the way out almost the entire time he flies. He added that the only time he ever needs to change the fuel mixture is while flying above 14,500 ft. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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 approach defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during approach
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,030 hours in all; 303.2 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: September 11, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 303.3 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, February 4, 2015; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 Series (piston); 551 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AUN Auburn CA at 9:00 pm
- Destination: A34 Dayton NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 10:15 pm from CXP, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under N51MJ the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.