Van's RV-4 XBINF

Summary

On 16 August 1996 at about 16:00 local time, a Van's RV-4 registered XBINF, operated by Custom Aircraft, was involved in an accident near Van Horn, Texas, 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.

Date

16 August 1996 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Van Horn, Texas, United States

Coordinates

31.0391, -104.8293

Aircraft

Van's RV-4

Registration

XBINF

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Custom Aircraft

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Deming → Uvalde

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA348

1 person had minor injuries.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.