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Engine Power Loss Results in Forced Landing on Street (N236BR)

Vacaville, CA, US

On July 22, 1996, a Diamond Aircraft Industries KATANA DA-20-A1 (registration N236BR) operated by Blue Ridge Aeronautics was involved in an aviation accident near Vacaville, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The airplane was out of fuel. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A flight instructor and student pilot experienced an engine power loss during a return from a practice area. The instructor managed a forced landing on a street, colliding with a sign and curbing. An FAA inspector found the aircraft had no fuel.

Flight Details

A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a rated pilot (student) were conducting a dual instructional flight. They were returning from the practice area to the airport when the incident occurred approximately 4 miles from the airport.

Engine Failure

About 4 miles from the airport, the engine lost power. The CFI took control of the airplane and turned the fuel pump on. The engine then started and ran for approximately 2 minutes before losing power again.

Forced Landing

The CFI executed a forced landing on an unoccupied street. During the landing rollout, the airplane collided with a street sign and a curbing.

Post-Accident Inspection

An FAA inspector who examined the airplane after the accident reported that it was out of fuel. The inspector further stated that the student had questioned the instructor about the fuel quantity before the flight.

Probable cause

The airplane was out of fuel.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Jul 1996 Diamond Aircraft Industries KATANA DA-20-A1 accident near Vacaville, CA?

A flight instructor and student pilot experienced an engine power loss during a return from a practice area. The instructor managed a forced landing on a street, colliding with a sign and curbing. An FAA inspector found the aircraft had no fuel.

Were there any fatalities in the 22 Jul 1996 Diamond Aircraft Industries KATANA DA-20-A1 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Jul 1996 involved a Diamond Aircraft Industries KATANA DA-20-A1, registration N236BR, operated by Blue Ridge Aeronautics, at Vacaville, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The airplane was out of fuel.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06296. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.