This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N425DG
- History of Flight:
On October 7, 2026, at about 1038 local time, a privately-registered, experimentally built Van’s RV-7A, N425DG, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Petaluma Municipal Airport (O69), Petaluma, California. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was originating at the time.
Recent flight-tracking history shows that the airplane was flying several short local flights out of Gnoss Field (DVO), Novato, California. On October 3rd, the airplane flew to San Rafael Airport (CA35), San Rafael, California, and on October 7th, the airplane arrived at Petaluma at 0931 local time following a 9 minute flight from CA35.
According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 1033, the airplane was seen taxing from the ramp to runway 29. At 1037:32, the airplane was seen about ~1200 ft down the 3600 ft runway with a reported groundspeed of 49 knots. At 1037:37, the airplane departed the runway surface with a groundspeed of 74 knots. At 1037:50, the airplane reached a maximum altitude of 300 ft, 89 knots groundspeed, and a positive rate of 960 feet per minute (fpm). The next few data points showed that the airplane started a right hand turn as the groundspeed started to drop and the average rate went all the way down to -1000 feet per minute (fpm). At 1038:05, the airplane was still in the right turn with a reported groundspeed of 63 knots when the average rate went up to 500 fpm. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 1038:10 in the immediate area of the accident site and at the conclusion of the right turn. The airplane was 0.26 mile from the departure end of runway 29 at 200 ft, 63 knots, and 512 fpm.
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| Figure 1: General view of the ADS-B data |
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| Figure 2: Closer view of right turn after crest of climb |
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| Figure 3: ADS-B data ran through Flysto |
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| Figure 4: ADS-B data ran through Flysto |
The airplane impacted an open field and a post crash fire ensued.
A witness at the nearby golf course stated that the airplane sounded different and was flying real low and banking sharply before impact. Another witness, who was pilot-rated, stated that the engine was sputtering and it looked like (the accident pilot) was trying to turn back the runway and turn really hard.
An airport surveillance video captured the accident departure and audio. The video was not made public, but was given to the NTSB.
- Pilot Information:
Unknown.
- Airplane Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number 71782, was manufactured in 2007. It was a low-wing, two-seat, tricycle gear (with a front nose-wheel) airplane powered by a reciprocating engine.
According to the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) for an identical airplane:
The Stall Speed (CAS):
Flaps Up, Power Off ………………………..…….54 knots
Flaps Down, Power Off ……………………..……50 knots
AIRSPEEDS FOR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
Engine Failure After Takeoff:
Wing Flaps Up ……………… 78 knots
Wing Flaps Down ………….. 70 knots
Maneuvering Speed (Va) …………. 123 knots
Maximum Glide ………………… 78 knots
ENGINE FAILURES
ENGINE FAILURE DURING TAKEOFF RUN
1. Throttle –IDLE
2. Brakes – APPLY
3. Wing Flaps – RETRACT
4. Mixture – IDLE CUT-OFF
5. Ignition Switch – OFF
6. Master Switch – OFF
ENGINE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF
1. Airspeed – 70 knots
2. Mixture – IDLE CUT-OFF
3. Fuel Selector Valve – OFF
4. Ignition Switch – OFF
5. Wing Flaps – AS REQUIRED
6. Master Switch – OFF
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The airplane impacted an open field next to the airport and a post crash fire ensued. The main wreckage consisted of the entire airplane which came to rest upright. Both wings and tail remained attached to the airframe. The entire airplane was thermally damaged. There was a little debris field leading to the main wreckage, the first identified point of impact was impact impressions from the right wing at the start of the debris field, the right wing was bent aft and showed more impact damage than the left wing. The impact appears consistent with a low altitude aerodynamic stall-spin/accelerated stall. The airplane most likely impacted terrain in a right wing low, nose down altitude.
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| Figure 6: Airplane impact sequence (own work, subject to change) |
- Airport Information:
O69 is a public airport located 1 mile northeast of Petaluma, California. The airport's field elevation was 90.2 ft. The airport features a single asphalt runway 11/29 that is 3600 x 75 ft.
The north/east side of the airport consists of a golf course and open farm fields. The south/west sides consists of a residential area.
- Weather:
(1) Brief:
At 1035, the airport was reporting winds 3 knots at 260, 10 miles visibility, no clouds, and an altimeter setting of 29.95 inches of mercury. The METAR did not list a temperature/dewpoint value.
The nearest airport, Gnoss Field, was reporting a 20°C temperature value at 1015. If we use this value, the calculated density altitude at O69 would have been 675 ft.
(2) METARs:
METAR KO69 071710Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR A2995 RMK A01
METAR KO69 071735Z AUTO 26003KT 10SM CLR A2995 RMK A01 <<<
METAR KO69 071750Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR A2995 RMK A01
(3) Area Forecast Discussion: