Accident Van's RV-4 XB-INF, Friday 16 August 1996

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Date:	Friday 16 August 1996
Time:	10:00 LT
Type:	Van's RV-4
Owner/operator:	Custom Aircraft
Registration:	XB-INF
MSN:	3544
Total airframe hrs:	16 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming AEIO-360-BIF
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Van Horn, TX - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Deming, NM (KDMN)
Destination airport:	Uvalde, TX (KUVA)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
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.

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.

Accident investigation: