Amateur-built GPA-2 accident near Brentwood, California, August 1, 2013
On August 1, 2013 at about 4:45 pm local time, a 1993 amateur-built GPA-2, registered N199BW, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Brentwood, California. 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
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 2013 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Brentwood, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built GPA-2, built 1993
- Registration
- N199BW · registry record · serial 2001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Malfunction
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 18,850 hours in all; 170 in this make and model; 240 in the last 90 days; 90 in the last 30 days; 5,070 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 29, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,325 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LVK Livermore CA at 4:15 pm
- Destination: MHR Sacramento CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from SCK, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.