Jahns RV-7 N916R

Summary

On 31 October 2006 at about 16:55 local time, a Jahns RV-7 registered N916R was involved in an accident near Farmingdale, New Jersey, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 October 2006 at 16:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Farmingdale, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Monmouth Executive Airport (BLM)

Coordinates

40.1867, -74.1247

Aircraft

Jahns RV-7

Registration

N916R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Farmingdale → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC07CA016

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to a disconnected throttle/power lever linkage. A contributingfactor was the owner/builder's improper installation of the throttle linkage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The builder/owner of the amateur built RV-7 hired the pilot, who was also a designated airworthiness representative, to inspect the airplane and to perform its first test flight. During the preflight inspection, the pilot did not remove the cowling to inspect the engine compartment. The pilot completed the test flight and returned to the airport for landing. On final approach, he adjusted the throttle, but the engine did not respond and he could not increase or decrease power. He then extended the flaps and "slipped" the airplane, but was "going too fast and was too high" to land. He turned the airplane to land on another runway, but during the turn, the airplane "lost altitude" and impacted the ramp area. An inspection of the airplane following the accident revealed that throttle control was disconnected from the fuel servo. The throttle linkage connecting bolt and several washers were found loose inside the engine cowling. The corresponding castellated retaining nut and respective cotter key were not located. During an interview, the owner/builder stated that he "may have forgotten to install the cotter key."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.