# NTSB SEA93LA113: Murphy Barracuda, N54265, Yoncalla, OR, May 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1993, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Yoncalla, OR
- Coordinates: 43.570896, -123.139053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5709&lon=-123.1391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA113

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE OIL FILTER VIBRATING LOOSE RESULTING IN OIL STARVATION, AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S MISJUDGMENT OF WINDS. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS UNFAVORABLE WINDS.

## 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 - normal
  - lubricating system,oil filter/screen - loose (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ESTABLISHED IN CRUISE AT 4000 FEET THE PILOT HEARD A PECULIAR SOUND AND OBSERVED DECREASING ENGINE RPM. AS THE RPM CONTINUED TO DECREASE TO 1200 THE PILOT SECURED THE ENGINE VIA THE IGNITION AND INITIATED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD ALONGSIDE AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. DURING HIS APPROACH TO THE NORTH HE FOUND HIS GROUND SPEED TO BE EXCESSIVE AND ATTEMPTED A 180 DEGREE TURN DURING WHICH TIME THE LEFT WINGTIP IMPACTED THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE FORD V6 ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE OIL FILTER/ COOLER HAD VIBRATED LOOSE ALLOWING THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK OVERBOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54265](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54265-2001-05-11), registration cancelled 2001-05-11, S/N 525 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MURPHY BARRACUDA
- Registry model: [Murphy Roy S BARRACUDA](https://openairdocs.org/model/murphy-roy-s-barracuda) (registry code 05612VS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 525
- Airframe hours: 115
- Engines: FORD 1984 3.8L V6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Murphy, Roy S.
- Registered owner: Murphy, Roy S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1992, 15 hours before
- Departed: WA31, LANGLEY, WA
- Destination: WLW, WILLOWS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 409 total, 115 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBG, 18 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 19930520016789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930520016789A), May 20, 1993: Amtrjf BARRACUDA, Yoncalla, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Crash landed near highway. Oil cooler vibrated loose. Oil leaked overboard.

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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