Amateur-built RV7 accident near Henefer, Utah, July 26, 2020
On July 26, 2020 at about 5:10 pm local time, a 2005 amateur-built RV7, registered N514BS, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Henefer, Utah. 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 total loss of engine power due to the separation of the idler gear shaft bolts as a result of improper installation, which allowed for the idler gear to become disengaged.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 26, 2020 · about 5:10 pm local time
- Place
- Henefer, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV7, built 2005
- Registration
- N514BS · no longer on the register · serial 70845
- 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 flight, he switched fuel tanks and shortly after, the engine began to sputter. The pilot turned on the electric fuel boost pump and switched the fuel selector valve to the original position, and the engine began to operate normally. However, a short time later, the engine quit, and despite his attempts, he was unable to restore engine power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby road during which the left wing struck the ground, the airplane veered to the left, exited the surface of the road, and impacted rising terrain. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft idler gear shaft was separated from its mount and the idler gear was disengaged from the crankshaft and camshaft. Fretting was observed within the area of the idler gear shaft mount. The idler gear shaft bolts were separated. No evidence of a locking plate or safety wire was observed. It’s likely that idler gear bolts had become loose due to improper installation, which allowed the idler gear shaft to shift and the idler gear to become disengaged from the crankshaft and camshaft, which would result in a loss of engine power.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng rear section › Failure
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: powered-lift
- Flight time: 21,000 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 13,000 as pilot in command; 100 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 1, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 20, 2020
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KOGD Ogden UT at 4:50 pm
- Destination: Heber City UT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KOGD, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on June 29, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Email for Engine Examination Findings | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.