# NTSB LAX82FVG08: Mooney M20D, N1920Y, Napa, CA, November 26, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: November 26, 1981
- Place: Napa, CA · NAPA, CA
- Location: 38.2971° N, 122.3010° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Napa, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2971&lon=-122.3010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FVG08
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVG08

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2411  81/11/26 NR.NAPA,CA            MOONEY M20D         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 47, 1473
        TIME - 1324                    N1920Y              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 491 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NAPA COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         NAPA,CA                      CHICO,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL                                                    IN FLIGHT: EMERGENCY DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: VENTS,DRAINS,TANK CAPS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DETERIORATED
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- FUEL CAP SEALS,P/N 530001-000,HARD AND ALL PLIABILITY LOST.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1920Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20D
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Napa County

## 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 19811126076329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811126076329A), Nov 26, 1981: Mooney M20D, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit 50 feet up on takeoff. Stalled trying to land on other runway. Found water in fuel. Leaky fuel caps.

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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