NTSB investigations: Continental C85 series, CA

7 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Continental C85 series, where the first occurrence was “Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical”. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19882026

NTSB investigations: Continental C85 series, CA per year, 1988–2026: 7 cases
1988	1
1989	1
1991	1
1992	1
1995	1
1999	1
2000	1

Where

Open the map

Latest cases

Query with 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND 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" = 353)) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND 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\" = 353))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND 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" = 353))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB LAX01LA064Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Bakersfield, CAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning, fuel management, and inadequate remedial actions, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. The pilot made an off-field landing and collided with a fence.Dec 23, 2000 · N72970 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX99LA208Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCulver V · San Martin, CAFuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and failure to refuel the aircraft during an en route stop.Jun 4, 1999 · N44549 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX96LA010Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Dixon, CAfuel starvation due to debris blocking the carburetor main jet.Oct 14, 1995 · N1782V · Substantial damage NTSB LAX92LA272Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415C · Santa Clarita, CAFuel starvation caused by the inflight separation of the fuel gascolator bowl due to improper component installation.Jun 30, 1992 · N3165H · Substantial damage NTSB LAX91FA334Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415C · Rubidoux, CAThe mechanic's improper installation of the magnetos and the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed. Factors related to this accident are the pilot's inadvertent stall and the residential area.Jul 28, 1991 · N94385 · Destroyed NTSB LAX89LA220Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCommonwealth 185 · Sacramento, CAFuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to accurately determine the fuel load prior to departure.Jun 17, 1989 · N92827 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX88DUG01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportSmith DSA-1 · Upland, CAThe pilot reported that he had performed a moderate to severe 'noseover' at 4000 ft AGL. The engine started to run rough and then quit. The pilot stated that he had performed maintenance on the carburetor just prior to this flight. An emergency landing was…Jan 7, 1988 · N2Q · Substantial damage