# NTSB LAX99LA165: Parker Vans RV-4, N6420E, Red Bluff, CA, April 12, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1999, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Red Bluff, CA
- Coordinates: 40.130882, -122.430397 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1309&lon=-122.4304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA165

## Probable cause

A crack which developed in the automotive-type oil cooler of the experimental, amateur built aircraft and permitted the engine oil supply to flow overboard.

## 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 cooler - cracked (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil cooler - automotive
  - lubricating system - exhaustion
  - powerplant - seized
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The engine of the amateur built, experimental aircraft seized and stopped after the seam of the automotive-type oil cooler opened up in-flight, resulting in loss of the engine oil supply and oil starvation of the engine.  The pilot attempted to make a forced landing in a field, however, the right main landing gear entered a hole and the aircraft cartwheeled.

## Factual narrative

On April 12, 1999, at 0915 hours Pacific daylight time, an experimental Vans RV-4, N6420E, was substantially damaged during an emergency off-airport landing following loss of engine power during cruise flight near Red Bluff, California.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The amateur built aircraft departed from Rio Vista, California, at 0830.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was destined for Medford, Oregon.  The aircraft was operated by the pilot/owner under 14 CFR Part 91.  No flight plan was filed.

The Safety Board received notification of the accident on April 23, 1999.  According to the pilot, the engine stopped (seized) after a seam of the automotive-type oil cooler opened up in-flight, resulting in loss of the engine oil supply and oil starvation of the engine.  The pilot attempted to make a forced landing in a field, however, the right main landing gear entered a hole and the aircraft "cartwheeled."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6420E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6420E-1999-08-02), registration cancelled 1999-08-02, S/N 1875 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Parker VANS RV-4
- Registry model: [Parker Michael G RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/parker-michael-g-rv-4) (registry code 05608QX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1875
- Airframe hours: 657
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael George Parker
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 1999, 10 hours before
- Departed: O88, RIO VISTA, CA
- Destination: MFR, MEDFORD, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,500 total, 700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBL, 25 nm away

## 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 19990412003949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990412003949A), Apr 12, 1999: Amtr RV4, Red Bluff, CA, Substantial damage. (Tty) acft was at 3,000 feet while en route when it lost oil pressure and the engine stopped, the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing in a field, the…

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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