# Accident 20021116033329A: Blanca 1419, Napa, CA, November 16, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 16, 2002, 11:15 local time
- Place: Napa, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.0906° N, 122.3167° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0906&lon=-122.3167&mi=10
- Aircraft: N501A, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N501A-2006-07-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bellanca 14-19 (registry code 3080102, https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-435A/0-435C (registry code 41517, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435a-0-435c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BLANCA 1419
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX03LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA032) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021116033329A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) MR. BROWN DEPARTED ANGWIN, CA. VFR AND PICKED UP A IFR CLEARANCE INTO NAPA, CA. HE REQUESTED AND RECEIVED A CLEARANCE TO FLY THE LOCALIZER APPROACH TO RUNWAY 36L. WHEN MR. BROWN REPORTED HE HAD THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT, NAPA TOWER TOLD HIM HE WAS HIGH AND TO EXECUTE THE PUBLISHED MISSED APPROACH. ON THE PUBLISHED MISSED APPROACH FOR RUNWAY 36L AT NAPA, THE MR. BROWN REPORTED EXPERIENCED A SLOW LOSS OF POWER TO OAKLAND CENTER, THEN REPORTED THE ENGINE HAD FAILED AND THEN REPORTED THE ENGINE HAD STARTED AGAIN. AT 10:16 ZULU, THE PILOT REPORTED THE ENGINE HAD FAILED AGAIN AND HE WAS GOING TO LAND IN THE WATER. THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN SHALLOW PART OF SAN PABLO BAY NEAR THE TOWN OF NAPA, CA. THE PILOT, SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE AIRCRAFT, SUSTAINED A BRUISE TO THE FOREHEAD.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX03LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA032), Nov 16, 2002: Bellanca 14-19 (N501A), Napa, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate management of the fuel system, which led to fuel starvation and a water ditching.

## Other reports on N501A (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19850423028369I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850423028369I), Apr 23, 1985: Blanca 1419 (N501A), Camarillo, CA, Minor damage. Left main collapsed on touchdown. Upper drag strut bent.
- [Accident 19820509014469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820509014469A), May 9, 1982: Blanca 1419 (N501A), Hays, KS, Substantial damage. Ran auxiliary tank dry en route. Unable restart on main tank with apparent vapor lock.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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