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NTSB investigations: Continental C85 series, VA

42 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.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19642026

Where

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" = 'VA' 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

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\" = 'VA' 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" = 'VA' 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

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 ERA26LA079Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 140 · Ceres, VAThe pilot’s failure to recognize and mitigate carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and forced landing.Dec 27, 2025 · N89884 · Substantial damage NTSB ERA26LA032Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 140 · Suffolk, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing, which resulted in a nose over.Nov 6, 2025 · N1860V · Substantial damage NTSB ERA17LA225Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 15 · Farmville, VAThe pilot’s improper decision to depart from an unsuitable off-airport surface which resulted in his subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.Jul 3, 2017 · N4195H · Destroyed NTSB ERA14CA412Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Luray, VAA loss of control and subsequent runway excursion while attempting to avoid a collision with a deer on takeoff.Aug 25, 2014 · N436DC · Substantial damage NTSB IAD04CA002Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Ridegway, VAThe pilot's improper pre-flight planning, which resulted in an engine failure due to fuel exhaustion.Oct 7, 2003 · N2370N · Substantial damage NTSB NYC03LA102Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Suffolk, VAThe pilot's misjudgment of his altitude from the wheat field during the execution of a go-around.May 9, 2003 · N72942 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC98LA007Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Prince George, VAThe pilot's failure to attain takeoff climb, and his delay in aborting the takeoff. A contributing factor was soft terrain.Oct 6, 1997 · N1856N · Substantial damage NTSB NYC97LA112Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe LL-8-E · Charlottesville, VAThe left main landing gear collapsed due to corrosion.Jun 10, 1997 · N1750K · Substantial damage NTSB IAD97LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Wakefield, VAuncommanded operation of the parking brake, due to a missing tension spring, which resulted in locked brakes and subsequent nose over of the airplane during landing.Oct 26, 1996 · N83N · Substantial damage NTSB NYC94LA095Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-E · Warrenton, VAthe pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and nosing over. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of experience on grass strips in this make and…May 28, 1994 · N3200H · Substantial damage NTSB BFO94LA001Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportUnivair Ercoupe 415E · Willis, VAthe failure of the airplane's throttle cable fitting due to undetermined reasons, which prevented the pilot from applying power above engine idle. A factor in this accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the pilot to complete a forced landing without…Nov 1, 1993 · N94440 · Substantial damage NTSB BFO89LA008Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Topping, VAThe pilot of N76470 departed on rwy 18 and followed the noise abatement procedure before turning downwind for rwy 18. The pilot of N73114 departed the grass rwy 18 and flew the noise abatement procedure prior to turning to a heading of 070 deg to depart the…Nov 12, 1988 · N73114 · 2 aircraft · Minor damage NTSB BFO88LA021Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Orange, VAAccording to the plt, during the landing roll the acft drifted to the right and before he could take corrective action the acft ground looped. He had 3 hrs of total time in this make/model acft. The plt rptd he was late applying corrective rudder forces. He…Feb 17, 1988 · N2300N · Substantial damage NTSB BFO86LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Concord, VAThe acft experienced a total loss of pwr during cruise. A forced ldg was made on a hwy and the acft struck a road sign. Post-crash examination of the acft engine revealed an inoperative engine fuel pump.Jun 8, 1986 · N2349H · Substantial damage NTSB BFO85FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Afton, VAThe plt and his wife departed waynesboro arpt in reported VFR wx conditions at aprx 1700 hrs. According to the assistantarpt mgr the ceiling was about 2500 ft however, the mountain tops were obscured in the direction the acft flew towards. At about 1710 hrs…Aug 24, 1985 · N1812V · Destroyed NTSB BFO85LA043Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Chesapeake, VAThe student plt was making a takeoff from rwy 20 with an estimated 10 kt right x-wind. After about 800 ft of ground run, the acft lifted off at aprx 65 mph. At an alt of about 30 ft, the acft began to settle in a left drift as it flew abeam trees on the right…May 6, 1985 · N2034V · Substantial damage NTSB ATL84LA210Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJohnson Skyote · Portsmouth, VAThe acft was a recently manufactured, home built plane that was equipped with brakes that were designed for a much larger (Piper PA-23) acft. The plt stated that the brakes were too sensitive for his acft, a skyote. Also, he equipped it with a high quality…Jun 8, 1984 · N64SK · Substantial damage NTSB ATL84LA180Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Harrisonburg, VAThe acft's left main landing gear strut failed during a landg. A mechanic, who examined the acft, stated that the strut had a previously existing crack prior to the accident. The strut failed at a hole where the step was attached.May 19, 1984 · N72115 · Substantial damage NTSB ATL81DID03Accident · Minor injuriesClosedTaylorcraft BC12-D · Scottsville, VADec 4, 1980 · N22N · Substantial damage NTSB IAD80FID11Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Camp Hill, VAMar 18, 1980 · N72193 · Destroyed NTSB IAD80DID07Accident · No injuriesClosedLuscombe 8E · Indian Valley, VADec 30, 1979 · N45765 · Substantial damage NTSB IAD79FA087Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 140 · Luray, VASep 20, 1979 · N89327 · Substantial damage NTSB IAD76DIJ08Accident · No injuriesClosedSmith DSA1 · Abingdon, VAOct 25, 1975 · N138L · Substantial damage NTSB IAD74FID06Accident · No injuriesClosedErco 415-D · Ashland, VAJul 28, 1973 · N3930H · Substantial damage NTSB IAD70DIJ05Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Dublin, VAAug 26, 1970 · N72544 · Substantial damage NTSB IAD70DID21Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper J3C · Sealston, VAMay 21, 1970 · N98889 · Substantial damage NTSB DIA69D0189Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 140 · Baileys Xroads, VAMay 14, 1969 · N89711 · Substantial damage NTSB DIA68D0221Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 140 · Woodbridge, VAMay 8, 1968 · N73019 · Substantial damage NTSB DIA68F0160Accident · No injuriesClosedCommonwlth 185 · Newport News, VAFeb 3, 1968 · N34135 · Substantial damage NTSB DIA68F0152Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 140 · Fredericksburg, VAJan 20, 1968 · N89535 · Substantial damage NTSB DIA68D0141Accident · No injuriesClosedLuscombe 8A · Melfa, VADec 23, 1967 · N72039 · Substantial damage NTSB DIA68D0123Accident · No injuriesClosedSierradyne S-1 · Langley Afb, VANov 24, 1967 · N12K · Substantial damage NTSB DIA68F0097Accident · No injuriesClosedLuscombe 8A · Richmond, VAOct 9, 1967 · N1378K · Substantial damage NTSB NYC67D0346Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Waynesboro, VANov 5, 1966 · N1805N · Substantial damage NTSB NYC66F0473Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper J3C · Chesapeake, VAJan 25, 1966 · N6443H · Substantial damage NTSB NYC66F0386Accident · Minor injuriesClosedErcoupe 415C · Rustburg, VANov 14, 1965 · N2195H · Substantial damage NTSB UNK65X1393Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 140 · Winchester, VAFeb 4, 1965 · N76511 · Substantial damage NTSB UNK65X1256Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 140 · Orange, VAJan 9, 1965 · N76841 · Substantial damage NTSB UNK65X0596Accident · No injuriesClosedLuscombe 8E · Bridgewater, VANov 7, 1964 · N1311B · Substantial damage NTSB UNK64X3537Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 140 · Bridgewater, VAAug 22, 1964 · N72134 · Substantial damage NTSB UNK64X2259Accident · No injuriesClosedCmnwealth 185 · Kellam Field, VAJun 13, 1964 · N92830 · Substantial damage NTSB UNK64X1158Accident · No injuriesClosedLuscombe 8E · Hopewell, VAApr 4, 1964 · N1879K · Substantial damage