# NTSB WPR13LA353: Weber GPA-2, N199BW, Brentwood, CA, August 1, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2013, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Brentwood, CA - Coordinates: 37.932777, -121.63639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9328&lon=-121.6364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 87655 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13LA353 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87655/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87655 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA353 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Weber Barry Q GPA-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05623GW), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction; cases with it: [Weber Barry Q GPA-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=05623GW), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Weber Barry Q GPA-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=05623GW), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Weber Barry Q GPA-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05623GW), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Weber Barry Q GPA-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05623GW), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was on a short cross-country flight when he felt a slight vibration in the airplane. An instrument panel scan revealed that the engine's cylinder head temperatures had risen above 450 degrees F. The pilot diverted toward the nearest airport, but the engine lost power before the airplane reached the airport. During the forced landing in a cornfield, both wings sustained substantial damage. A postaccident engine examination and test run revealed no evidence of any preimpact anomalies with the engine that would have prevented normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 2013, about 0945 Pacific daylight time, a Weber GPA-2 (Long-EZ) experimental amateur-built airplane, N199BW, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Brentwood, California. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight, which had originated from Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California, approximately 30 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot stated that he was at an altitude of 4,500 feet when he noticed a slight vibration in the airplane. He examined the instrument panel and saw that the engine's cylinder head temperatures were rising above 450 degrees Fahrenheit. He did not remember looking at oil temperature or pressure indications. He diverted toward the nearest airport, but the engine lost power. He selected a road for a forced landing, but during the approach to the road he saw power lines ahead, so he attempted to make a 180-degree turn and land in the opposite direction on the road. He was unable to complete the turn, and he landed in a corn field. Both wings sustained substantial damage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane at the accident site the day after the accident. He reported that the engine was still in place in the rear of the fuselage, and it was upright and appeared to be level. He checked the engine's oil level and found that it was full, and the oil appeared to be very clean. The airplane was then retrieved to a secure salvage yard. The inspector again examined the airplane on August 9, 2013. He found the engine still mounted to the airframe, and he was able to rotate it by hand. When he attempted an engine start, the engine immediately started. He moved the throttle back and forth, and the engine accelerated smoothly and without hesitation. Following the engine run, the inspector removed and split the oil filter. It was clean with no metal debris. The inspector also removed the carburetor's fuel screen/filter, and it was clean. The examination and test run revealed no evidence of any pre-impact discrepancies with the engine that would have prevented normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N199BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N199BW-2018-02-07), registration cancelled 2018-02-07, S/N 2001, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WEBER GPA-2 - Registry model: [Weber Barry Q GPA-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/weber-barry-q-gpa-2) (registry code 05623GW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2001 - Year built: 1993 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LVK, Livermore, CA - Destination: MHR, Sacramento, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 29, 2013; seat: front; flight hours: 18,850 total, 170 in this make and model, 5,070 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: SCK, 19 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 20130801015159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130801015159A), Aug 1, 2013: Weber Barry Q GPA-2, Brentwood, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft took off from livermore, CA. And at cruise of 4500', engine began losing power, RPM dropped, pilot placed fuel control to full rich and throttled… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 27, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87655. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 824 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Second Statement (item 2, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Second%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Flight Path Drawn by Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Path%20Drawn%20by%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Airplane Wreckage (item 6, .PDF, 966 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Airplane%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Engine Oil Stick (item 7, .PDF, 676 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Engine%20Oil%20Stick-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.