# NTSB investigations: Low altitude operation/event

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 12 of 14 · 677 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB ANC10LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10LA065.md): Cessna 170B · Palmer, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2010 · N4590C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to make a low-altitude pass over a remote airstrip toward rising terrain in weather conducive to downdrafts.
- [NTSB CEN10LA418](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA418.md): Cessna A188B · Clyde, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2010 · N5855G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a grain auger during aerial application maneuvers.
- [NTSB CEN10CA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA411.md): Continental Copters Tomcat MK6B · Blackstone, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 15, 2010 · N17H · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter encountered a dust devil at a low altitude during the aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN10CA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA402.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Independence, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 13, 2010 · N8260K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to pay attention to the power lines and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the corn field during the aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ANC10CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA060.md): Cessna 172N · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 12, 2010 · N6594D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly towards rising terrain that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN10CA391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA391.md): Air Tractor AT602 · Lake Village, AR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 11, 2010 · N42590 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires during the aerial application pass.
- [NTSB CEN10CA406](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA406.md): WSK PZL Mielec M-18A · Muncie, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 10, 2010 · N92640 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power line during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN10CA395](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA395.md): Bell OH-58A · Roswell, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 10, 2010 · N415NS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires.
- [NTSB CEN10LA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA380.md): Champion 8KCAB · Estes Park, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2010 · N56BC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude in mountainous terrain and weather conditions conducive to downdrafts.
- [NTSB ERA10LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA348.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Marion, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 2010 · N857PM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR10CA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA320.md): Cessna 175 · Huntsville, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 30, 2010 · N9247B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during climb.
- [NTSB WPR10CA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA289.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Courtland, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 13, 2010 · N6726Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during low-altitude maneuvers.
- [NTSB ERA10CA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA309.md): Air Tractor AT-402B · Alcolu, SC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 10, 2010 · N5085Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree. Contributing to the accident was the sunglare.
- [NTSB CEN10CA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA307.md): Champion 7ECA · Northwood, ND · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 7, 2010 · N9620S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the transmission wire.
- [NTSB WPR10CA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA279.md): Cessna 172H · Bountiful, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 5, 2010 · N3948R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude.
- [NTSB CEN10CA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA286.md): Cessna 150M · Glasco, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 31, 2010 · N9388U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delay in applying full power to arrest a sink rate at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN10CA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA268.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Pearsall, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 24, 2010 · N927SH · Minor damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines.
- [NTSB CEN10LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA250.md): Ayres S2R · Rushville, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 16, 2010 · N241WD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA10LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA266.md): Aerostar S A YAK-52 · Jensen Beach, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 15, 2010 · N6868Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude, which resulted in insufficient clearance from the water to conduct a recovery. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s extended landing gear, which resulted in a degradation of…
- [NTSB CEN10CA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA251.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Baraboo, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 15, 2010 · N570MD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with crops while maneuvering during aerial application.
- [NTSB ANC10FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10FA038.md): Piper PA-18-135 · Willow, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 14, 2010 · N1123 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree due to the effects of impairment from alcohol consumption.
- [NTSB CEN10LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA184.md): Stutesman Charles Lee RV-6 · Balmorhea, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2010 · N4024K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the lake while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN10CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA185.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Malden, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 2, 2010 · N3653T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN10CA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA179.md): Cessna 182M · Hamilton, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 30, 2010 · N71229 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static power line while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR10FA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA162.md): North American AT6 · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 2010 · N75AG · Substantial damage
  > The pilots did not maintain clearance from terrain for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR10FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA131.md): Yakovlev YAK 52 · Redlands, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 2010 · N52VY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and altitude sufficient to recover from a low-level aerobatic maneuver.
- [NTSB WPR10CA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA124.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Crystal, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 30, 2010 · N9083W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a ground vehicle during a low-altitude maneuver.
- [NTSB CEN10FA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA162.md): Maule M-6-235 · Bennett, CO · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 2010 · N7613X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a utility line while maneuvering.
- [NTSB CEN10LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA074.md): Gibson Mark Manta 503 · Magnolia, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 2009 · N193AW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a static wire while maneuvering and his improper decision to fly with a low overcast sky.
- [NTSB WPR10LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA069.md): Mahre Starduster SA300 · Zillah, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2009 · N480DM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a low-altitude maneuver.
- [NTSB ERA10CA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA046.md): American AA1 · Lake Placid, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 3, 2009 · N7266L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line.
- [NTSB ERA10FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA027.md): Cessna U206G · Elizabethton, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 2009 · N120MS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to remain clear of rising terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB ANC10FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10FA004.md): Cessna A185E · Healy, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2009 · N2764J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver at a low altitude over rising terrain in conditions conducive to turbulence/downdrafts, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR10FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA012.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF · Fossil, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2009 · N527SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power pole to which he was connecting wire-pulling ropes.
- [NTSB CEN10CA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA010.md): Aerostar International RX-7 · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 5, 2009 · N9126K · Minor damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a known obstacle and the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the balloon during the sudden climb following the ejection of the passenger.
- [NTSB CEN10TA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10TA006.md): Beech E18S · Jones Creek, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 3, 2009 · N797SB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid the radio tower.
- [NTSB WPR09CA470](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA470.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Mt Charleston, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 28, 2009 · N29LE · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and terrain clearance while maneuvering at a low altitude above high terrain. Contributing to the accident was a downdraft and high density altitude.
- [NTSB CEN09CA540](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA540.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · East Grand Forks, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2009 · N4516K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the crops while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR09CA403](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA403.md): Rockwell 690 · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 17, 2009 · N90AT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness, and thus clearance from objects, while operating at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN09CA528](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA528.md): Morse, Frank L. Kitfox · Crawford, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 16, 2009 · N39FM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued flight into a severe downdraft at low altitude after encountering tailwind over the area.
- [NTSB CEN09CA514](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA514.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · DeWitt, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 10, 2009 · N5018S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the tree during the aerial application maneuver.
- [NTSB CEN09LA488](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA488.md): Piontkowski Challenger · Kankakee, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2009 · N4526G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the telephone line and his poor judgment to fly while under the influence of alcohol. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to the alcohol consumption.
- [NTSB CEN09CA483](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA483.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Royal, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 3, 2009 · N6701Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the crop during an aerial application maneuver.
- [NTSB CEN09LA492](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA492.md): Stirling Starduster · Earlham, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2009 · N1XY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ground during an aerobatic maneuver.
- [NTSB ERA09CA432](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA432.md): Bingham Chuck Rotorway 1 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2009 · N267BC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while hovering in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB CEN09CA479](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA479.md): Piper PA28-151 · Purcell, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2009 · N41930 · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines.
- [NTSB WPR09CA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA358.md): Wsk-Pzl Meilec PZL M18B · Rockland, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 20, 2009 · N7813T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during an aerial application reversal turn.
- [NTSB ERA09FA419](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA419.md): MD Helicopter 530 (369FF) · Camp Butler, Iraq · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2009 · N974BW · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance during a low-level course reversal.
- [NTSB WPR09CA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA339.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Marysville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 13, 2009 · N244HP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the power line wires.
- [NTSB WPR09FA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA334.md): Cessna 182P · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2009 · N7314S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision to attempt to fly at a low altitude in a confined area of mountainous terrain in a high density altitude weather condition, and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/cases.md?page=13

## 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 e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '220')
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/cases?page=12

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