# NTSB FTW96LA348: Vans RV-4, Van Horn, TX, August 16, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1996, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Van Horn, TX
- Coordinates: 31.039112, -104.829315 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0391&lon=-104.8293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA348
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA348

## Probable cause

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.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - lubricating system,oil cooler - cracked (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - powerplant - seized
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Nose over, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

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.

## Factual narrative

One August 16, 1996, at 1000 mountain daylight time, a Van's Aircraft RV-4, Mexican registration XBINF, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Van Horn, Texas.  The private pilot was not injured.  The aircraft was owned by a Mexican national and was operated by Custom Aircraft of Marana, Arizona, under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that originated from Deming Municipal Airport near Deming, New Mexico, approximately 90 minutes before the accident.  A flight plan was not filed.

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 towards the nearest airport.  Approximately 12 miles from Van Horn, Texas, the pilot stated, the "engine failed completely."  The pilot performed a forced landing to an area of brush and sand dunes; the airplane came to rest in the inverted position.

Post-crash examination of the engine's oil cooler, by an FAA certified repair station for oil coolers, revealed a crack in the first drawn cup tube (see enclosed report).

## Aircraft

- Registration: XBINF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Vans Aircraft RV-4
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3544
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-BIF 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Custom Aircraft
- Registered owner: Alejandro Junco De La Vega
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: DMN, DEMING, NM
- Destination: UVA, UVALDE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 632 total, 137 in this make and model, 549 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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