Amateur-built VENTURE accident near Ely, Nevada, May 23, 1992
On May 23, 1992 at about 9:15 pm local time, a amateur-built VENTURE, registered N3VD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ely, Nevada. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE INADEQUATE INSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE/PRESSURE TRANSDUCER BY THE PILOT/OWNER THAT RESULTED IN A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE TRANSDUCER MOUNTING FITTING IN THE ENGINE OIL SYSTEM. THE SOFT LANDING SURFACE AND THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN WHICH THE AIRPLANE LANDED WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 1992 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Ely, Nevada
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VENTURE
- Registration
- N3VD · no longer on the register · serial 446
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER ASSEMBLING THE HOME BUILT AIRCRAFT THE CO-OWNER/PILOT INSTALLED AN ALUMINUM FITTING BETWEEN THE ENGINE CASE AND A HEAVY TRANSDUCER. THE FITTING THAT ATTACHED THE TRANSDUCER TO THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER 31 HOURS OF OPERATIONS WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT ON A SOFT SURFACE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE LANDING GEAR SANK INTO THE SOFT EARTH DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FITTING DISCLOSED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE. THE HEAVY TRANSDUCER SHOULD HAVE BEEN MOUNTED TO THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME WITH FLEXIBLE OIL LINES THAT WOULD ENDURED THE VIBRATIONS THAT ARE INHERENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECIPROCATING ENGINE.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,700 hours in all; 41 in this make and model; 72 in the last 90 days; 41 in the last 30 days; 3,700 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 31 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 2,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550G1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: H10 Portland OR at 6:10 pm
- Destination: SGU St George UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 55 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Observation at 8:50 pm from ELY, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.