NTSB investigations: Continental C85 series, CA
266 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Continental C85 series. 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.
Cases per year
| 1964 | 23 |
|---|---|
| 1965 | 16 |
| 1966 | 20 |
| 1967 | 14 |
| 1968 | 7 |
| 1969 | 13 |
| 1970 | 11 |
| 1971 | 8 |
| 1972 | 13 |
| 1973 | 4 |
| 1974 | 7 |
| 1975 | 4 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1977 | 10 |
| 1978 | 4 |
| 1979 | 3 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 4 |
| 1983 | 3 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1987 | 4 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 4 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 4 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 3 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
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'))
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'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun 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 WPR27LA023Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationInvestigation openCessna 120 · Death Valley, CANTSB WPR26LA227Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportEmigh Trojan A2 · Healdsburg, CAOn June 21, 2026, about 1210 Pacific daylight time, an Emigh Trojan A-2, N8329H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Healdsburg, California. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as…NTSB WPR26LA106Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 120 · Kneeland, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing roll on a snow-covered runway.NTSB WPR25FA257Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 140 · Shelter Cove, CAOn August 17, 2025 about 1521 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N89447, was involved in an accident near Shelter Cove, California. The student pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…NTSB WPR23LA128Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportJones Jay D Cassutt M 11 · Castroville, CAA failure of the outboard trailing edge rib in the left wing, which resulted in a separation of the left aileron and a loss of control.NTSB WPR23LA021Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 140 · Georgetown, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion and a separation of the right main landing gear.NTSB WPR22LA242Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 120 · San Carlos, CAThe total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR22LA072Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 120 · Upland, CAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during a go-around as it encountered wake turbulence from a slow hover taxiing helicopter.NTSB WPR20LA094Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportErcoupe 415 · Torrance, CAThe partial loss of power due to a malfunction of the throttle cable, which limited movement of the throttle body.NTSB WPR20CA045Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Lancaster, CAThe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his use of excessive braking while taxiing.NTSB GAA19CA013Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Marina, CAThe pilot’s inadvertent application of the brakes, which resulted in a nose-over.NTSB GAA18CA455Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Healdsburg, CAThe pilot's improper brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.NTSB GAA17CA071Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 120 · Lincoln, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.NTSB GAA16LA525Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Davis, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and noseover. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the seatbelt anchor bracket.NTSB WPR16LA139Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Salinas, CAThe fatigue failure of a bulkhead-skin joint that supported the main landing gear leg, which resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear. Contributing to the failure were the non-original structural configuration of the 60-year-old airplane and the…NTSB WPR16FA118Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMoore Joseph O Varieze · Santa Paula, CAA total loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the camshaft drive gear teeth.NTSB WPR16LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Lone Pine, CAThe fracture of the left main landing gear (MLG) wheel axle due to fatigue, which resulted in the separation of the left MLG wheel during takeoff from a dirt airstrip.NTSB WPR14LA300Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Rancho Cucamonga, CAThe loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR14CA197Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Vacaville, CAThe pilot's use of excessive brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb, likely due to carburetor ice.NTSB WPR13CA033Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Watsonville, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the landing roll.NTSB WPR12LA264Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8 · Twentynine Palms, CAA loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR12CA114Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAeronca 7BCM · Woodland, CAThe pilot did not maintain directional control during landing.NTSB WPR11LA131Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Novato, CAThe pilot's use of a non-vented fuel cap, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB WPR10CA106Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Chico, CAThe pilot’s inadequate weather evaluation and failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in low visibility conditions.NTSB WPR09CA399Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAeronca 11CC · El Cajon, CAThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control while landing.NTSB LAX07CA283Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLuscombe 8E · Ramona, CAthe installation and subsequent failure of an incorrect part, which jammed in one wheel's brake caliper and induced the pilot's loss of directional control.NTSB SEA07CA176Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCommonwealth 185 · Redlands, CAThe pilot's inadequate weather evaluation which resulted in the airplane's lack of climb performance and subsequent collision with terrain. Contributing factors included the downdraft and the high temperature.NTSB SEA07CA054Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Murrieta, CAThe pilot's excessive application of brakes during taxi after landing, resulting in a nose over.NTSB SEA07CA047Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · San Jose, CAThe pilot's excessive use of the airplane's wheel brakes, which resulted in a nose over during landing.NTSB LAX07LA081Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Van Nuys, CAFailure of the pilot under instruction to maintain directional control of the airplane and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision.NTSB LAX04LA265Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-D · Santa Clarita, CAthe pilot's inadequate planning/decision by his inadequate evaluation of the weather resulting in an attempt to conduct flight beyond the aircraft's climb performance capability.NTSB LAX04LA092Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Vacaville, CAthe pilot's failure to either obtain a preflight weather report and forecast for the destination or to add additional fuel, which ultimately resulted in fuel exhaustion and collision with trees.NTSB LAX04CA070Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLuscombe 8E · San Jose, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.NTSB LAX03LA289Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportButzbach Smith Miniplane DSA1 · Escondido, CAThe 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 LAX03LA059Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFarmer R B DA5-A · Apple Valley, CAthe detonation of the number 1 and 3 cylinders and the subsequent over temperature of those cylinders and their corresponding pistons.NTSB LAX01LA260Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · San Luis Obispo, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing that resulted in dragging the wing and nosing over.NTSB LAX01LA171Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7DC · Hollister, CAThe pilot's inadequate aircraft handling procedure and failure to maintain directional control while landing in a known crosswind.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.NTSB LAX01LA044Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Sacramento, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing rollout.NTSB LAX00LA228Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Hayfork, CAThe failure of the pilot under instruction to maintain directional control during the landing roll and the inadequate supervision of the flight instructor, which resulted in a collision with a runway light, overload failure of the wheel axle, and the airplane…NTSB LAX00FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEmigh Trojan A2 · Brentwood, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane.NTSB LAX99LA227Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Chino, CAA preexisting fatigue fracture of the right axle.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.NTSB LAX98LA213Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Redding, CAThe pilot's excessive use of the brakes while taxiing, allowing the aircraft to nose over.NTSB LAX98LA151Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8E · Auburn, CAThe pilot's improper use of carburetor heat and the rough/uneven (furrowed) terrain. A contributing factor was carburetor icing conditions.NTSB LAX97LA273Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Pacoima, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing.NTSB LAX97LA223Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Columbia, CAthe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during a bounced landing recovery.NTSB LAX97LA216Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Hollister, CAthe pilot's excessive use of right rudder during the initial stages of the takeoff ground roll, which resulted in his failure to maintain directional control. The unfavorable wind was a related factor.NTSB LAX97LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Emigrant Gap, CAthe pilot's misjudgment of altitude/clearance while attempting a precautionary landing on a closed, snow covered runway.NTSB LAX96LA010Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Dixon, CAfuel starvation due to debris blocking the carburetor main jet.