Engineering & Research 415C accident near Corona, California, July 11, 2009
On July 11, 2009 at about 7:20 pm local time, a Engineering & Research 415C, registered N87295, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Corona, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 2009 · about 7:20 pm local time
- Place
- Corona, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Engineering & Research 415C · all 415Cs on the register
- Registration
- N87295 · no longer on the register · serial 468
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane's engine began to experience a degradation of power about 15 minutes after takeoff and he maneuvered the throttle to full power in an effort to recover the power loss. The engine rpm increased temporarily and then decreased again, with an eventual total loss of power. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with a house and had come to rest in a field 30 feet from the initial impact. The post accident investigation revealed several anomalies with the engine and modifications that were not in accordance with engine manufacturer's recommended maintenance practices. The owner/pilot reported that the airplane had undergone an annual inspection about eight months prior to the accident and had only flown a couple of hours since. At the conclusion of the examination, the exact cause of the engine failure could not be definitively identified.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,400 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: November 27, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C90 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RIR Rubidoux CA at 7:00 pm
- Destination: OKB Oceanside CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 pm from RAL, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.