# 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 2 of 14 · 675 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB WPR25LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA056.md): Piper PA-12 · Marysvale, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 5, 2024 · N1706B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN25FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA019.md): Robinson R44 · Houston, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2024 · N881KE · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.
- [NTSB GAA25WA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA25WA281.md): Air Tractor AT-504 · Gizan, Saudi Arabia · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Foreign · Oct 9, 2024 · N149SH · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR24LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA315.md): Cessna 172P · Kooskia, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 26, 2024 · N54829 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to descend into a canyon that exceeded the performance capabilities of the airplane, which resulted in an impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA368.md): Bell 206 · Lexington, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 25, 2024 · N92PH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper clearance from powerlines.
- [NTSB ERA24LA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA393.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Ravenel, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2024 · N153LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain, which resulted in the right skid contacting the ground and a subsequent rollover.
- [NTSB CEN24FA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA338.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Camden, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 5, 2024 · N602BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power transformer that was mounted to a power pole during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ANC24LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA083.md): Piper PA22 · Aleknagik, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2024 · N4NW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR24LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA282.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Durham, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 13, 2024 · N6633K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines, which resulted in a wire strike.
- [NTSB CEN24FA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA287.md): Bell 206 · Nashua, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 29, 2024 · N94XA · Substantial damage
  > On July 29, 2024 about 1330 central standard time, a Bell 206-B3 Helicopter, N94XA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Nashua, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…
- [NTSB WPR24FA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA255.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Izee, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 26, 2024 · N805DG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering through an area of low visibility due to wildfire smoke and haze.
- [NTSB CEN24LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA285.md): Cessna A188B · Sumner, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 24, 2024 · N9576G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during the spray pass.
- [NTSB CEN24LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA276.md): Bell 206 · Cornland, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2024 · N26UK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot was unable to see a wire due to the setting sun and the helicopter subsequently struck the wire.
- [NTSB CEN24LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA275.md): Bell 206B · Cuba City, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2024 · N67110 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural application pass.
- [NTSB ERA24LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA314.md): Bell OH-58A · Hegins, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2024 · N176SA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate pre-flight and in-flight planning, which resulted in the helicopter striking a wire hazard during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN24LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA257.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Sedgwick, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 8, 2024 · N6500K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during the spray pass.
- [NTSB CEN24LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA252.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · New Florence, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 4, 2024 · N225AM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance from a dead tree limb during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN24LA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA318.md): Ayres S2R · Stanwood, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2024 · N4004K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance during a low-level aerial application flight, which resulted in impact with terrain and a subsequent forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the location of the spray boom pressure gauge, which…
- [NTSB WPR24LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA207.md): Piper J3C-65 · Scheelite, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 19, 2024 · N3627N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent entry to a box canyon where the airplane could not outclimb the rising terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA187.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Garrett, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 7, 2024 · N40561 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while conducting low-level altitude operations, following an encounter with wake turbulence.
- [NTSB WPR24FA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA184.md): Beech A45 · Deer Harbor, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 7, 2024 · N268AF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at low level, and his misjudged entry altitude for the maneuver, which resulted in impact with water.
- [NTSB WPR24LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA173.md): Sikorsky S-55QT · Benton City, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 3, 2024 · N2302F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low altitude operation.
- [NTSB CEN24LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA209.md): Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 90A · Hebron, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 2, 2024 · N8005H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while landing in a field.
- [NTSB CEN24LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA205.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Palmyra, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 30, 2024 · N221RH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during approach.
- [NTSB ERA24LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA220.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · New Washington, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 18, 2024 · N4196K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR24LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA138.md): Aerospatiale SA315B · Lewiston, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2024 · N42PL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low level aerial application.
- [NTSB CEN24LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA175.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · England, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 1, 2024 · N8515G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from tower guy wires while maneuvering during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ERA24LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA172.md): MD Helicopters 369FF · Ceiba, PR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 9, 2024 · N5841Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ failure to ensure adequate clearance from the taxiway while performing a quick stop maneuver.
- [NTSB ERA24LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA171.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · South Kingstown, RI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 9, 2024 · N331EL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR24LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA113.md): Kitfox S7 Super Sport · Asotin, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 16, 2024 · N295P · Substantial damage
  > Pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low altitude flying.
- [NTSB WPR24LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA115.md): Zenith Zodiac CH601 · Rawlins, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 15, 2024 · N43373 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an unstabilized approach, which resulted the airplane landing short of the runway and coming to rest inverted.
- [NTSB ANC24LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA015.md): Cessna R172K · Trapper Creek, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 17, 2024 · N1258V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall; loss of airplane control; and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA24LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA114.md): Cessna 172M · Brookwood, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 16, 2024 · N9160H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA24WA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA093.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Bourke, Australia · Accident · Class 5 · Foreign · Feb 10, 2024 · VH-AQW · Substantial damage
- [NTSB CEN24FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA101.md): Lockwood AIR CAM · Ranchitos Las Lomas, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2024 · N315GW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a meteorological evaluation tower.
- [NTSB ERA24LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA060.md): Cessna 150 · Mount Vernon, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 8, 2023 · N5952T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to operate the airplane at a low altitude over a river, and his failure to maintain clearance from the river while maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR24LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA092.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Calexico, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 6, 2023 · N422DX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN24FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA049.md): MD Helicopters 600 · Sterling City, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 29, 2023 · N745MB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line pole’s static arm during forecasted gusting wind conditions, un-forecasted light turbulence, and un-forecasted low-level wind shear conditions, resulting in main rotor blade contact with the static…
- [NTSB CEN24LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA029.md): Ag-Cat G-164B · Abbeville, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 28, 2023 · N910MG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN24FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA021.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Vidalia, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 24, 2023 · N5180W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s cell phone use and the position of the sun, which reduced the pilot’s ability to perceive the location of the power…
- [NTSB CEN24LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA006.md): Gyro Technic GT-VX2 · Saint Peter, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2023 · N557LJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering through a river valley.
- [NTSB CEN23LA422](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA422.md): Quicksilver Sport II · Welsh, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 26, 2023 · N728NN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude from obstacles during the simulated landing approach which led to a collision with a fence and a building.
- [NTSB CEN23FA412](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA412.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · New Rockford, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 19, 2023 · N502NB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from overhead power lines during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly under the power lines with a small area of clearance available for the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN23FA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA409.md): Thrush S2R-T660 · Ardoch, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 12, 2023 · N710TY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a guy wire during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR23LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA338.md): Bell 212 · Balch Camp, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 10, 2023 · N873HL · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate performance planning for the operation that resulted in an excessive gross weight for the operating conditions, leading to a loss of altitude during maneuvering and contact with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…
- [NTSB WPR23LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA322.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-5B · Lone Pine, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 19, 2023 · N4537Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft, which resulted in collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23LA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA334.md): Scoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS · Hickory, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 13, 2023 · N239WD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision and loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA23LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA332.md): Bell 47G-5 · Mifflinville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 12, 2023 · N1503L · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN23LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA357.md): Piper PA25 · Hartington, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2023 · N8847L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misperception of the rising terrain resulting in a collision with crops and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA326.md): Hughes 369 · Elberon, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 5, 2023 · N353AH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/cases.md?page=3

## 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=2

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