# 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 13 of 14 · 677 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB WPR09CA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA331.md): Bell 47G-3B-2 · Ocean Shores, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 7, 2009 · N8169J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering due to the pilot's diverted attention.
- [NTSB WPR09LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA325.md): Aero Vodochody L-29 · Tehachapi, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2009 · N97869 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing a low altitude maneuver.
- [NTSB CEN09LA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA409.md): Cessna 172 · Latimer, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2009 · N8138B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while flying at a low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA09LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA344.md): Dehavilland DHC-6 Twin · Orange, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2009 · N204EH · No damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to perform a low-level maneuver over a populated skydive landing area and his inadequate visual lookout.
- [NTSB CEN09LA355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA355.md): Aero Commander S2R · Cordova, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2009 · N1734S · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with terrain after clearing an obstacle during an agricultural application pass.
- [NTSB WPR09FA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA284.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Morristown, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 11, 2009 · N149SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line.
- [NTSB WPR09LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA269.md): Storch Aviation Australia PTY SS-MK4 · Boulder, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 29, 2009 · N2898J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB ERA09CA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA298.md): Ayres S2R-G1 · Bald Eagle, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 21, 2009 · N6134T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line.
- [NTSB ERA09CA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA292.md): Cessna 152 · Memphis, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 15, 2009 · N6529M · Substantial damage
  > The pilots' decision to fly at a low altitude and their inadequate visual lookout while maneuvering.
- [NTSB ERA09CA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA294.md): Cessna R182 · Collins, MS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 14, 2009 · N7392S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an antenna during a low-altitude aerial observation flight. Contributing to the accident was the sun glare.
- [NTSB CEN09LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA297.md): Ayres S-2R · Monroe, LA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 14, 2009 · N223SB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines during an aerial application run.
- [NTSB WPR09CA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA224.md): Robinson R44 · Cottonwood, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 3, 2009 · N441CB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from wires.
- [NTSB WPR09LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA226.md): MD Helicopter 369FF · Santa Clarita, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 1, 2009 · N67FF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude as a result of the helicopter's grappling hook temporarily becoming ensnared with an underwater obstruction.
- [NTSB WPR09CA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA220.md): Bell OH-58A · Arvin, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 30, 2009 · N175SJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from wires during aerial application maneuvers.
- [NTSB WPR09LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA203.md): Extra EA-300 · Santa Barbara, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2009 · N101PK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain for undetermined reasons while performing aerobatics.
- [NTSB WPR09CA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA190.md): Ayres S2R-T34 · Cove, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 9, 2009 · N114JP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from rising terrain while maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR09CA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA163.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Chowchilla, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 24, 2009 · N139RJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.
- [NTSB CEN09LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA225.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Ville Platte, LA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 2009 · N5189P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines during an aerial application run.
- [NTSB WPR09FA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA154.md): Cessna 180F · Townsend, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 2009 · N2698Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA09LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA194.md): Hughes 369D · Lee, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 10, 2009 · N369RT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the overhead wire.
- [NTSB CEN09CA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA194.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Harrold, SD · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 6, 2009 · N648LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines during his turn to reverse course due to weather. Contributing to the accident was the reduced visibility at the time of the accident.
- [NTSB WPR09LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA124.md): Champion 7ECA · Salinas, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2009 · N2835G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire while intentionally maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA09CA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA177.md): HI-Max 1700R · Windham, NH · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 17, 2009 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from houses while flying an unregistered experimental, amateur-built airplane.
- [NTSB CEN09LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA189.md): Remos G-3/600 · Hilda, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 12, 2009 · N23GX · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR09CA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA105.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bountiful, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 1, 2009 · N944U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to fly at low altitude while maneuvering in mountainous terrain in a canyon and inadvertently exceeding the climb capability of the helicopter. Contributing to the accident were a high density altitude, mountainous terrain, and a…
- [NTSB ERA09LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA139.md): Hughes OH-6A · Monroe, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 22, 2009 · N4191A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-rated-passenger’s failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard during low-level maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command’s inadequate monitoring of the flight.
- [NTSB WPR09CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA088.md): Quicksilver Sport 2S R582 · Ventura, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 17, 2009 · N6976C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water.
- [NTSB ERA09CA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA129.md): Buckeye Dream Machine · Grant, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 28, 2008 · N6068E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wire.
- [NTSB WPR09FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA061.md): Beech V35 · Warner Springs, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2008 · N1587L · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from terrain during a low altitude maneuver.
- [NTSB ERA09CA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA090.md): Bell OH-58C · Osceola County, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 15, 2008 · N659HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgment of altitude during low-altitude spraying operations, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water.
- [NTSB ERA09CA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA042.md): Sundt Daniel N Rotorway Exec 162-F · West Chester, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 4, 2008 · N8286D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance above terrain while performing a pedal turn.
- [NTSB WPR09CA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA030.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Friant, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 31, 2008 · N2346G · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to execute a go-around in timely manner, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and delayed remedial actions.
- [NTSB CEN09CA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA037.md): Cessna R172E · Palo Pinto, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 26, 2008 · N42FG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional low-level flight and failure to maintain a visual lookout.
- [NTSB CEN09LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA023.md): Piper PA-36-285 · Silverton, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 2008 · N57740 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire.
- [NTSB CEN09LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA009.md): Sproul 72K-TET · Rio Rancho, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2008 · N72KX · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines and the failure of either pilot to take any corrective action to avoid the collision.
- [NTSB LAX08CA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA297.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · American Fork, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 21, 2008 · N11698 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of an inadequate altitude to enter a box canyon, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB SEA08LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA200.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Napavine, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 2008 · N9268D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to make a low-altitude pass, and his failure to maintain clearance from all structures while maneuvering.
- [NTSB MIA08CA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA170.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Satartia, MS · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2008 · N1520X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in the in-flight collision with a 40-foot-tall antenna.
- [NTSB MIA08LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA167.md): Ayres S2R-T15 · Morton, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2008 · N4015P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during low altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB CHI08CA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA252.md): Hiller UH-12E · Cokato, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 15, 2008 · N945HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not visually identify and maintain clearance with the power lines, and the pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter once it contacted the power lines. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude operations being…
- [NTSB LAX08FA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA267.md): Cessna TR182 · Sahuarita, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 2008 · N4887R · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering at low altitude for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB NYC08CA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA279.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Tunica, MS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 13, 2008 · N61267 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines during low-altitude maneuvers.
- [NTSB LAX08LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA266.md): Bowman Titan Tornado II · Needles, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2008 · N3156B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a vehicle during a low-altitude flight over a highway.
- [NTSB CHI08CA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA243.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Cosmos, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 11, 2008 · N7297Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the guide wire while maneuvering on an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the presence of the guide wire.
- [NTSB SEA08FA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08FA174.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Monticello, UT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2008 · N2190X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude.
- [NTSB MIA08LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA161.md): GT Ultralights Airborne Edge X · Franklin, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2008 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to perform low-altitude maneuvers and his failure to maintain clearance from the surface of the bay. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to alcohol.
- [NTSB SEA08CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA168.md): WSL PZL Mielec · Caldwell, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 29, 2008 · N81541 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was a vehicle.
- [NTSB CHI08CA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA220.md): Air Tractor AT-401 · Lake View, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 26, 2008 · N9193F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot not obtaining/maintaining altitude/clearance from the power line while performing an aerial application maneuver.
- [NTSB DFW08LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA197.md): Marshall James J Cozy MK IV · Midlothian, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2008 · N500K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wall of the rock quarry.
- [NTSB CHI08CA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA212.md): Ayres S2R-T34 · Clinton, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2008 · N357CA · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate in-flight planning/decision making and the altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot during the aerial application. A contributing factor was the guy wire.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/cases.md?page=14

## 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=13

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