Experimental RV4 N835B

Summary

On 5 August 1991 at about 03:20 local time, a Experimental RV4 registered N835B, operated by Stephan D. Barnes, was involved in an accident near Napa, California, United States. 2 people were 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

5 August 1991 at 03:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Napa, California, United States

Coordinates

38.5491, -122.1492

Aircraft

Experimental RV4

Registration

N835B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Stephan D. Barnes

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

LAX91LA347

Nobody was injured.

THE INSTALLATION OF A NON COMPATIABLE OIL FILTER AND SYSTEM PLUMBING CHANGES WHICH INDUCED THE OIL EXHAUSTION EVENT RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING AND IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE OIL PRESSURE SUDDENLY DROPPED. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, THEN SEIZED ALTOGETHER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLOSE TO A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP AND THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING ON THE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY IN A GRAPE VINEYARD. RESPONDING SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES REPORTED THAT THE ENTIRE BELLY OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS HEAVILY COATED WITH OIL. FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND THAT AN AUTOMOTIVE FRAM OIL FILTER WAS INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE, WITH SOME PLUMBING CHANGES. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE OIL FILTER FAILED TO BYPASS OIL. THE OUTSIDE CASE OF THE FILTER WAS FOUND TO HAVE EXPANDED TO ABOUT 125 PERCENT OF NORMAL SIZE AND WAS LEAKING OIL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.