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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 16, 1996 · Vans Aircraft RV-4 · XBINF

Van Horn, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Van Horn, TX
Aircraft
Vans Aircraft RV-4
Tail Number
XBINF
Operator
Custom Aircraft
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW96LA348

According to the pilot, 'about an hour into the flight I noticed oil running down the inside of the firewall. The oil pressure gauge showed low oil pressure to the engine.' The pilot further stated that he reduced power and began a gradual descent toward the nearest airport. Approximately 12 miles from Van Horn, Texas, the 'engine failed completely.' The pilot performed a forced landing to an area of brush and sand dunes, and the airplane came to rest in an inverted position. Postcrash examination of the engine's oil cooler revealed a crack in the first drawn cup tube.

NTSB Probable Cause

loss of engine power due to a cracked oil cooler, which led to the loss of all lubricating oil and an engine seizure. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.

Full Narrative

One August 16, 1996, at 1000 mountain daylight time, a Van's Aircraft RV-4, Mexican registration XBINF, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Van Horn, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. The aircraft was owned by a Mexican national and was operated by Custom Aircraft of Marana, Arizona, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that originated from Deming Municipal Airport near Deming, New Mexico, approximately 90 minutes before the accident. A flight plan was not filed. According to the pilot, "about an hour into the flight I noticed oil running down the inside of the firewall. The oil pressure gauge showed low oil pressure to the engine." The pilot further stated that he reduced power and began a gradual descent towards the nearest airport. Approximately 12 miles from Van Horn, Texas, the pilot stated, the "engine failed completely." The pilot performed a forced landing to an area of brush and sand dunes; the airplane came to rest in the inverted position. Post-crash examination of the engine's oil cooler, by an FAA certified repair station for oil coolers, revealed a crack in the first drawn cup tube (see enclosed report).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVans Aircraft RV-4
Tail NumberXBINF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCustom Aircraft
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-360-BIF · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data