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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 23, 1992 · Questair Venture · N3VD

Ely, NV

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Ely, NV
Aircraft
Questair Venture
Tail Number
N3VD
Operator
D G Lewis
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX92LA216

AFTER ASSEMBLING THE HOME BUILT AIRCRAFT THE CO-OWNER/PILOT INSTALLED AN ALUMINUM FITTING BETWEEN THE ENGINE CASE AND A HEAVY TRANSDUCER. THE FITTING THAT ATTACHED THE TRANSDUCER TO THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER 31 HOURS OF OPERATIONS WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT ON A SOFT SURFACE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE LANDING GEAR SANK INTO THE SOFT EARTH DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FITTING DISCLOSED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE. THE HEAVY TRANSDUCER SHOULD HAVE BEEN MOUNTED TO THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME WITH FLEXIBLE OIL LINES THAT WOULD ENDURED THE VIBRATIONS THAT ARE INHERENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECIPROCATING ENGINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE INADEQUATE INSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE/PRESSURE TRANSDUCER BY THE PILOT/OWNER THAT RESULTED IN A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE TRANSDUCER MOUNTING FITTING IN THE ENGINE OIL SYSTEM. THE SOFT LANDING SURFACE AND THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN WHICH THE AIRPLANE LANDED WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

AFTER ASSEMBLING THE HOME BUILT AIRCRAFT THE CO-OWNER/PILOT INSTALLED AN ALUMINUM FITTING BETWEEN THE ENGINE CASE AND A HEAVY TRANSDUCER. THE FITTING THAT ATTACHED THE TRANSDUCER TO THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER 31 HOURS OF OPERATIONS WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT ON A SOFT SURFACE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE LANDING GEAR SANK INTO THE SOFT EARTH DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FITTING DISCLOSED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE. THE HEAVY TRANSDUCER SHOULD HAVE BEEN MOUNTED TO THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME WITH FLEXIBLE OIL LINES THAT WOULD ENDURED THE VIBRATIONS THAT ARE INHERENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECIPROCATING ENGINE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftQuestair Venture
Tail NumberN3VD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorD G Lewis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550G1B · Reciprocating · 280
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 7 kt
Visibility55 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data