Questair VENTURE N3VD
23 May 1992 · Ely, Nevada, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 23 May 1992 at about 21:15 local time, a Questair VENTURE registered N3VD, operated by D. G. Lewis, was involved in an accident near Ely, Nevada, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 21:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Ely, Nevada, United States
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Questair VENTURE
- Registration
- N3VD
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- D. G. Lewis
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Portland → St George
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX92LA216
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB 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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Questair VENTURE accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Jul 1991 | Questair VENTURE | San Marcos, Texas, United States | Frank Brantley Scott | Fatal | 1 |
| 18 Oct 1994 | Questair VENTURE | Wheeling, Illinois, United States | Questair, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 12 Apr 2008 | Questair VENTURE | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | Alan M. Borg | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 Sep 2011 | Questair VENTURE | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | Questair Ventures LLC | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jul 2025 | Questair VENTURE | Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Mar 1992 | Bell 206BIII | Glenbrook, Nevada, United States | Smith Helicopter, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 2 Oct 1992 | Cessna 172P | Reno, Nevada, United States | Reno Flying Service | No injuries | - |
| 16 Mar 1992 | Piper PA-32-300 | Austin, Nevada, United States | Galen M. Reimer | No injuries | - |
| 1 Nov 1992 | Piper PA-22-150 | Reno, Nevada, United States | Nelson, Kevin | Serious injuries | - |
| 5 Nov 1992 | Bellanca 8KCAB | Pahrump, Nevada, United States | Woods, Elwood | Fatal | 1 |
| 19 Apr 1992 | Cessna 150 | Mesquite, Nevada, United States | Roberti, Michael | No injuries | - |