Aeronca 11AC accident near Napa, California, February 8, 2022
On February 8, 2022 at about 4:45 pm local time, a 1946 Aeronca 11AC, registered N9500E, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Napa, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an off-airport landing on unimproved terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 8, 2022 · about 4:45 pm local time · cases in 2022
- Place
- Napa, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 11AC NO SERIES, built 1946 · all 11ACs on the register
- Registration
- N9500E · registry record · serial 11AC-1135
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was flying the airplane to an airport about 48 miles from the departure airport when, 30 minutes after departure while in cruise flight, the engine lost all power. The pilot then verified engine controls were at their correct positions and adjusted the carburetor heat setting. There was no change in engine power, so he made a mayday call and landed the airplane in an open field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that both magnetos produced a weak spark on all ignition leads when the propeller was rotated by hand. The left magneto was found to be in poor condition and did not function within the manufacturer’s specifications. Internal examination of the left magneto revealed that the distributor axle bearing had failed, and the distributor gear was missing about half of its gear teeth. The right magneto was found in poor overall condition and was missing about 6 distributor gear teeth; however, it did function within the manufacturer’s specifications. A review of maintenance records revealed no indication that the left and right magnetos were serviced, to include inspections or overhauls, since the engine’s last overhaul 15 years (or about 400 hours) before the accident. While the left magneto was not functioning within the manufacturers specifications, and the right magneto functioned within the manufacturers specifications, it would not result a total loss of engine power. The reason for the total 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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Not serviced/maintained other cases naming the engine
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Owner/builder
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Scheduled/routine inspection › Owner/builder
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined other cases naming the engine
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 226 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 28.3 in the last 30 days; 167 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 29, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,174 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 17, 2021; 54 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-8 (piston); 2,163 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KEDU Davis CA at 4:15 pm
- Destination: KSTS Santa Rosa CA
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.32 inHg
- Observation at 8:54 am from KAPC, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAPC 081654Z COR 00000KT 6SM BR CLR 07/06 A3032 RMK AO2 SLP258 T00720061
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of airplane in an open field with damage to fuselage
Photograph 2 – View of internal components of right magneto
Photograph 3 - View of damaged phenolic distributor gear teeth from left magnetoThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on March 28, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Mor Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Mor FAA Post Accident Exam Notes | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Accident Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Magneto Examination Notes | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Engine Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Meteorology Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Wreckage | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N9500E on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Aeronca 11 Chief 741 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Aeronca 3,953 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Continental A-65-8 137 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- University Airport · departed from
- Charles M Schulz/Sonoma County · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in California 9,080 since 1982 · 1,097 in the last ten years
- California 27,713 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR22LA099.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.