# NTSB investigations: Continental C85 series: Loss of control - in flight NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. Page 1 of 2 · 64 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB NYC08CA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA036.md): Cessna 120 · Ocala, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 13, 2007 · N120AB · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during landing. - [NTSB SEA05LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA165.md): Cessna 120 · Chiloquin, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2005 · N627DM · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and a loss of control during a pull-up maneuver. A factor contributing to the accident was the inadvertent stall/spin, which resulted in the subsequent collision with terrain. - [NTSB ANC04LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA033.md): Piper PA-15 · Big Lake, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 29, 2004 · N4492H · Substantial damage > An in-flight loss of control for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing and in-flight collision with trees. - [NTSB CHI04LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA004.md): Cessna 140 · Waterloo, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 2003 · N72701 · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing. A factor associated with the accident was the strong, gusty wind condition. - [NTSB LAX03LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA289.md): Butzbach Smith Miniplane DSA1 · Escondido, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2003 · N40DB · Destroyed > The pilot's low level aerobatic maneuver and his failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain. - [NTSB CHI03FA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA301.md): Aeronca 11BC · Colfax, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2003 · N4103E · Substantial damage > The pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the low altitude at which the pilot was maneuvering. - [NTSB MIA03FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03FA077.md): Champion Aeronca 7BCM · Pahokee, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 18, 2003 · N2517E · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering. - [NTSB LAX00FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA170.md): Emigh Trojan A2 · Brentwood, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 22, 2000 · N8324H · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. - [NTSB DEN99FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99FA075.md): Piper PA-11 · Lander, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 8, 1999 · N4582M · Destroyed > The pilot inadvertently stalling the airplane. Factors were his abrupt maneuvering of the airplane to avoid a powerline, and his attention being diverted. - [NTSB FTW98LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA159.md): Cessna 140 · Norman, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 1998 · N2044N · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with a ditch. A contributing factor was the high crosswind. - [NTSB FTW97LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA341.md): Burgess Skyhopper · Jonesboro, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 1997 · N4186C · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to obtain/maintain the aircraft's airspeed. Factors were the high density altitude and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. - [NTSB FTW96LA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA359.md): Fernandez Baby ACE D · New Raymer, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 1996 · N316F · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control for reasons undetermined. - [NTSB SEA96LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA105.md): Cessna 140 · Puyallup, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 31, 1996 · N72344 · Substantial damage > the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain runway alignment during a go-around. The pilot's improper flare for landing was a related factor. - [NTSB CHI95LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA291.md): Cessna 140 · Mio, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 1995 · N76429 · Destroyed > the pilot's impairment of judgement and performance which led to performing a low altitude maneuver with insufficient altitude for recovery. A factor was the tailwind. - [NTSB ANC95FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95FA063.md): Piper J3C-65 · Palmer, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 1995 · N32708 · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadvertent stall. A factor in the accident was the pilot's emotional reaction to the vehicle travelling through his yard. - [NTSB LAX95LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA055.md): Luscombe 8E · Hemet, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 1994 · N1217B · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > The other aircraft pilot's inadequate bounced landing recovery and his failure to maintain directional control. - [NTSB ATL94LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA170.md): Piper J-5A · Raeford, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 1994 · N31172 · Destroyed > The pilot's ostentatious display which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane. - [NTSB NYC94LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA152.md): Aeronca 11AC · Schuylerville, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1994 · N3441E · Substantial damage > the pilots failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush. - [NTSB NYC94LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA088.md): Aeronca 11AC · Berwick, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 21, 1994 · N3167E · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight which fail to detect proper operation of the elevator which resulted in the loss of control inflight. A factor is inadequate maintenance which consisted of misrigging of the elevator flight controls. - [NTSB CHI94LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA043.md): Cleveland Piel Emeraude CP-304 · Warrensburg, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 1993 · N7631C · Substantial damage > the intentional entry of a stall/spin by the student pilot. - [NTSB FTW93FA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93FA244.md): Busby Celebrity · Perry, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 23, 1993 · N2828 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed due to alcohol impairment. A factor which contributed to the accident was the pilot performing aerobatics at a altitude inadequate to recover from a stall. - [NTSB CHI93LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA239.md): Aeronca AC7B · Kearney, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 29, 1993 · N1032E · Substantial damage > The pilot in command's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and the aircraft exceeding maximum allowable gross weight. - [NTSB CHI92FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA231.md): Cessna 120 · Maple, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 1992 · N1947N · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated private pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. - [NTSB ANC92LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA112.md): Piper J3C-65 · Cloudy Lake, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 1992 · N21375 · Substantial damage > The pilot failed to enter an aerobatic maneuver with sufficient altitude to effect a recovery prior to ground impact. - [NTSB SEA91LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA211.md): Ercoupe 415C · Anaconda, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 1991 · N2069H · Substantial damage > An inadvertent stall during initial climb. The high density altitude and a premature liftoff by the pilot were factors. - [NTSB LAX91LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA206.md): Cessna 140 · Redding, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 8, 1991 · N140ED · Substantial damage > That the pilot failed to brief the passenger and the passengers intentional control interference. - [NTSB LAX91LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA168.md): Cessna 140 · El Mirage, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 9, 1991 · N89572 · Substantial damage > That the pilot made a poor inflight decision to practice the slow flight maneuver at a low altitude and that he failed to maintain airspeed. - [NTSB MIA91LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA118.md): Ercoupe 415-C · Green Cove Spgs, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 1991 · N3025H · Substantial damage > Loss of control while on approach to land due to failure of the pilot to maintain vs resulting in the airplane stalling and impacting the ground nose low. - [NTSB FTW91DRG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRG01.md): Taylor Titch MK III · Seguin, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Nov 17, 1990 · N14D · Destroyed > The pilot lost control at low level. Factors were the pilot attempting aerobatic maneuvers with insuffient altitude for recovery. - [NTSB LAX90LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA134.md): Aeronca 7AC · Cottonwood, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 1990 · N82805 · Substantial damage > The failure to the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the decision of the pilot to attempt a landing in a cross wind condition well beyond the capability of the aircraft. - [NTSB FTW90DRG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRG01.md): Funk, D.D. B85C · San Antonio, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Oct 26, 1989 · N77707 · Substantial damage > Failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall. The unfavorable/gusty wind condition was a related factor. - [NTSB ATL89FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA150.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Jamestown, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 21, 1989 · N5003M · Substantial damage > The pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid an inadvertent stall. The stall occurred at an altitude which precluded recovery prior to ground impact. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of proficiency in the airplane. - [NTSB MKC89DCG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89DCG01.md): Grigg/Bowers Flybaby · West Plains, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · May 7, 1989 · N1305 · Destroyed > Improper preflight planning by the pilot and his failure to attain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall as he was attempting to avoid a power transmission line. Factors related to the accident were: rising terrain, tall grass, tailwind, and the… - [NTSB MKC89LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA050.md): Cessna 140 · Audubon, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 1989 · N89867 · Substantial damage > The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident were the crosswind conditions. - [NTSB MKC89DCJ01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89DCJ01.md): Piper PA-17 · Omaha, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Nov 28, 1988 · N4691H · Substantial damage > Witnesses observed the airplane takeoff and climb steeply to about 100 feet above ground. The airplane then turned sharply to the right and crashed into the ground in a nose low attitude. Investigation revealed no problems with either engine or airframe. - [NTSB ANC89LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA002.md): Piper PA-11 · Levelock, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 1988 · N4724M · Substantial damage > The airplane was at approximately 250 to 300 feet above sea level, and was executing a 360 degree turn to the left when the airplane stalled and crashed in the river. The pilot reported that he has never held a FAA pilot or medical certificate. - [NTSB FTW88FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA024.md): Cessna 140 · Bryan, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1987 · N72137 · Destroyed > The student plt took off at ngt with a passenger aboard. After takeoff, he remained in a left traffic pattern & made a low apch. Witnesses rprtd the plt then entered a rgt pattern, but the acft was lower & slower than normal as it was turning on the 2nd apch… - [NTSB ATL88LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA017.md): Piper J-3 · Clarks Hill, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 1987 · N98806 · Substantial damage > The aircraft was circling about 200 feet above the trees when the pilot began a climbing turn. As he leveled the wings the aircraft began to descend. The pilot applied full power and eased forward on the control stick lowering the aircraft nose slightly. When… - [NTSB ATL87LA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA253.md): Luscombe 8E · Cartersville, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 10, 1987 · N2600K · Substantial damage > The plt reported a loss of power on climb out. An off arpt landing attempt resulted in impact with trees and substantial damage to the acft. Temperature and dewpoint were within the range for carburetor ice buildup. Examination of the acft revealed a cruise… - [NTSB ATL87LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA134.md): Piper PA-11 · Butler, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 8, 1987 · N8024L · Substantial damage > The student plt reported that a gust of wind 'caught' the airplane's left wing shortly after takeoff at about 100 ft AGL; he subsequently 'lost control' and the airplane 'went down'. - [NTSB SEA87LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA033.md): Piper J-3 · Waitsburg, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 1986 · N6849H · Substantial damage > The pilot elected to circle coyotes at a very low altitude. During the second turn the aircraft felt mushy. The aircraft's left wing tip struck the ground followed by the aircraft striking the ground hard and flat. - [NTSB SEA86FA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA213.md): Luscombe 8A · Pelican, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 1986 · N45830 · Destroyed > At about 1500 adt on 8/19/86, the plt departed on a flt to hoonak, AK. When he did not return, a search was initiated. The acft was located at 1400 adt on the following day where it had crashed on rising mountainous terrain at an elev of about 1740 ft. an… - [NTSB DEN86FA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA207.md): Cessna 140 · Taos, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 1986 · N76541 · Substantial damage > N76541 took off on rwy 04 on a high density altitude day. The acft was seen climbing with the nose high near the departure end of the rwy. The acft just cleared some electrical lines near the end of the rwy and then was observed to descend down to a height… - [NTSB DEN86LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA194.md): Cessna 120 · Riverton, WY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 1986 · N3099N · Substantial damage > Plt stated after accident '... We could not climb after initial takeoff and a pwr line was coming up so I tried to turn right and the plane stalled.' The density altitude was calculated to be 7,136 feet MSL. The plt stated that he did not lean the mixture for… - [NTSB ATL86LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA151.md): Cessna 120 · Magnolia, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 31, 1986 · N76730 · Substantial damage > The plt was using the acft to drop a tool to a mechanic friend and was flying at low alt toward rising terrain to verify the location where the tool fell. Witnesses said that when the plt exited the acft after the accident he stated he was too low, too slow,… - [NTSB FTW86FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA046.md): Cessna 120 · Whitefield, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 1986 · N77483 · Destroyed > The pilot was flying at very low altitude while circling the area and most probably did not see the powerline, due to sunglare, until at very close range. He then pulled up steeply in the strong and gusty headwind and stalled the aircraft without sufficient… - [NTSB LAX86LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA148.md): Cessna 140 · Rio Linda, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 1986 · N89698 · Substantial damage > On March 20, 1986, a Cessna 140 nosed over in mud after running off runway 17. VMC prevailed at the time. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot and his passenger were not injured. The pilot stated he was too fast on his approach and ran off the… - [NTSB CHI85FEP03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FEP03.md): Roger W. Stigen EAA Biplane SR-1 · Sprimg Greem, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Aug 27, 1985 · N3541 · Destroyed > Eaa bi plane N3541, piloted by john boatright, and registered to freeborn county aircraft inc., albert lea, Minnesota, sustained substantial damage during a landing approach to runway 27 at the lone rock airport at approximately 1900 CDT on August 26, 1985.… - [NTSB MIA85FA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA239.md): Silvaire Luscombe 8E · Ocala, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1985 · N47BM · Destroyed > The acft was observed to take off, make a steep turn, a few seconds later, at an altitude of about 200 ft AGL, enter another steep turn and spin into the ground. Witnesses report that the pilot exhibited lack of control coordination while performing turns in… - [NTSB FTW85FA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA245.md): Cessna 140 · Tioga, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 1985 · N3180N · Destroyed > Witnesses observed the acft apchg from the northwest at an estimated alt of about 100 ft AGL. As it passed their position, the plt rolled into a steep (90 deg) right bank, then roll back out. The witnesses reported that after the acft rolled out of the bank,… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?engine=17008&occurrence=250&page=2 ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('17008') AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 250)) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=17008&occurrence=250 --- 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.