# NTSB LAX96LA164: Russman Avid Flyer, N5439V, Searchlight, NV, March 30, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1996, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Searchlight, NV
- Coordinates: 35.490219, -114.890708 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4902&lon=-114.8907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 6, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA164

## Probable cause

an engine failure from oil exhaustion due to a leak in the oil line.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - lubricating system,oil line - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

After flying 20 minutes on a planned 30-minute flight, the pilot experienced a loss of engine oil and subsequent engine seizure.  The pilot made a forced landing in desert terrain and the airplane collided with trees.  The pilot reported evidence of a leaking oil line.

## Factual narrative

On March 30, 1996, at 1330 hours Pacific standard time, a Russman/Laughlin, Avid Flyer, N5439V, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight between 8 and 9 miles west of Searchlight, Nevada.  The airline transport pilot made a forced landing in desert terrain and collided with trees.  The experimental homebuilt airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot received minor injuries.  The passenger was not reported as injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from Jean, Nevada, on the day of the accident at 1300.

In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he indicated that about 20 minutes into the planned 30-minute-long flight, his airplane's engine seized due to oil starvation.  The pilot reported that prior to taking off he had added oil to the engine and believed that it contained sufficient oil to make the flight.  The pilot further indicated that evidence was subsequently found of a leak from an oil line.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5439V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5439V-1997-10-08), registration cancelled 1997-10-08, S/N 122 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RUSSMAN AVID FLYER
- Registry model: [Russman/Laughlin AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/russman-laughlin-avid-flyer) (registry code 05613GN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 122
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: Bombardier ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Uriah F. Wood
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1996, 20 hours before
- Departed: 0L7, JEAN, NV
- Destination: 1L4, CAL NEV ARI, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 83; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 25,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 24,900 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19960330013219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960330013219A), Mar 30, 1996: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Searchlight, NV, Substantial damage. Engine siezed due oil starvation. Struck trees landing. Found leak in oil line.

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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