Van's RV4 N54WP

Summary

On 22 July 2020 at about 22:45 local time, a Van's RV4 registered N54WP was involved in an accident near Idabel, Oklahoma, 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

22 July 2020 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Idabel, Oklahoma, United States

Nearest airport

McCurtain County Airport (4O4)

Coordinates

33.9000, -94.8300

Aircraft

Van's RV4

Registration

N54WP

Category

Airplane

Year built

2009

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kennett → Midlothian

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20LA301

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s improper installation of an oil line, resulting in the loss of oil and subsequent total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After a full stop landing to refuel on a cross-country flight in the experimental airplane, the pilot noticed a chaffed oil line leading to the propellor governor. The pilot, with assistance from a local mechanic, removed the damaged oil line and replaced it with a used serviceable line. The pilot pre-flighted the airplane, took off, and continued his flight. About 70 minutes into the flight, the pilot observed oil on the windscreen. As the pilot maneuvered for a precautionary landing at a nearby airport, the engine stopped producing power. About 1/2 mile from the airport, the pilot attempted to land on a roadway. The airplane impacted power lines and the ground. The pilot stated that he could not see the power lines through the oil-covered windscreen. The airplane came to rest in a ditch adjacent to the roadway, resulting in structural damage to the fuselage and empennage. Examination of the airplane and engine after the accident revealed a crack in the oil line leading to the propeller governor from its connection at the engine case. There was no clamp installed to secure the line. A conditional airworthiness inspection had recently been completed on the experimental airplane. According to Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Directive (AD) 90-04-06R1, a clamp should have been installed on the oil line leading to the propeller governor. The pilot reported that when he replaced the oil line, there was no clamp present, so he did not install a clamp and was not aware of the applicable AD. He stated that had he been aware of the AD, he would have installed a new oil line and clamp. The available evidence indicates that the pilot’s improper installation of the oil line resulted in the in-flight loss of oil and subsequent total loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.