Grumman GA-7 | N887CC

The DTSB has determined the Probable Cause of this accident to be pilot error, in both the decision to takeoff with known mechanical deficiencies, water and debris in the fuel tanks, and in the proper handling of the loss of thrust of the right engine immediately after takeoff. The aircraft was pulled hard right and the right prop was never feathered, causing an eventual Vmc roll to the right, a deadly turn into the dead engine, and near vertical impact north of the extended centerline of the departure runway. The pilot was under excessive undue pressure to fly the aircraft due to a social media influencer owner (Rebuild Rescue) that needed the aircraft to meet his specific schedule.

Probable Cause issued 3/4/2026 – 25 months after the accident: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel, and his subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate annual maintenance inspection, during which maintenance personnel failed to detect and replace the missing right fuel cap gasket.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft be especially conscious of aircraft just having undergone extensive maintenance for first flights and to not be rushed to fly. The handling of a loss of thrust in a multi engine aircraft requires proper rehearsal and conditioning in order to lower the nose, raise the landing gear, and feather the failed engine as a conditioned response. The DTSB recommends that no turns of any kind be initiated until at least 1000 AGL and then never to turn in to the dead engine in this AQP scenario.