# 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 5 of 14 · 675 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB WPR21LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA056.md): Cessna 172 · Howe, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 14, 2020 · N8278B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain after an encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA005.md): Air Tractor AT402 · Egypt, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2020 · N4540F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree limb during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR20LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA315.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Emmett, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2020 · N836MM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s descent below surrounding terrain and his delayed decision to initiate a climb which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were terrain and lighting conditions that affected the pilot’s ability to accurately assess terrain…
- [NTSB ERA20LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA330.md): Piper PA25 · Floral City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2020 · N6106Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a tree while flying towards the rising sun during an aerial application flight, which resulted in a collision with the tree and a subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB WPR20WA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA329.md): Robinson R44 · Rooibok-Kraal, South Africa · Accident · No injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Sep 19, 2020 · ZS-RKZ · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR20LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA331.md): Bell 206 · Randle, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 9, 2020 · N91TA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while conducting an external load operation.
- [NTSB ERA20LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA306.md): Thrush S2R-H80 · Hawkinsville, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2020 · N30529 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an antenna tower while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight while flying directly toward the sun.
- [NTSB CEN20CA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA347.md): Grumman G164 · Scottsbluff, NE · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2020 · N48416 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of visual reference during agricultural low-level flight, resulting in collision with power lines.
- [NTSB WPR20CA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA253.md): Robert D Carr Jr Cavalon · Upper Lake, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2020 · N635BC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s distraction and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude maneuver, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20WA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA248.md): Robinson R44 · Steam Plains, Australia · Accident · Serious injuries · Foreign investigation · Jul 31, 2020 · VH-HNF · Substantial damage
  > The government of Australia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Robinson R44 helicopter that occurred on July 31, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Australia's investigation under the…
- [NTSB CEN20CA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA312.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · Tiro, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2020 · N602FH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while attempting to fly under power lines during an aerial application pass.
- [NTSB CEN20CA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA311.md): Air Tractor AT 401 · Burlington, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2020 · N9190Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from guy-wires during low-altitude agricultural operations.
- [NTSB CEN20CA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA300.md): Robinson R44 · Dickeyville, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 20, 2020 · N570WH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain clearance from wires during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR20CA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA218.md): Rans S6 · Richland, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 12, 2020 · N644RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to arrest a descent rate or maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude near mountainous terrain that resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN20LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA272.md): Golden Circle Air T-Bird · Grosse Ile, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 11, 2020 · N50JH · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude in gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of flight experience.
- [NTSB WPR20CA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA197.md): Robinson R44 · Pioche, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2020 · N7530B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly at low level over mountainous terrain and his inability to recover when the helicopter encountered a downdraft that resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA220.md): Robinson R66 · Pikeville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 18, 2020 · N4QW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a small diameter wire during low altitude agricultural spraying operations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s insufficient property survey.
- [NTSB ERA20LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA217.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Atmore, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 16, 2020 · N879JA · 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, spin, and loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN20CA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA230.md): Robinson R22 · El Campo, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 16, 2020 · N797SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the rice vegetation, which resulted in the helicopter's impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA179.md): Ayres S2R · Lenore, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 12, 2020 · N40226 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight, which resulted in a wire strike.
- [NTSB WPR20LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA170.md): Kitfox Kitfox · Lander, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 7, 2020 · N595KF · Substantial damage
  > The inexperienced pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during a turn at high density altitude, which resulted in an accelerated stall and impact with water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s poor judgment to continue the…
- [NTSB WPR20CA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA171.md): Enstrom 480 · Murphy, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 4, 2020 · N130JS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR20LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA163.md): Bell 206 · Fairfield, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 2, 2020 · N65PJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while conducting external load operations, which resulted in the main rotor contacting a wire and a subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA160.md): Champion 7ECA · Vine Grove, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 28, 2020 · N9557S · Substantial damage
  > Aircraft control was not maintained during initial climb with gusting wind that resulted in a collision with power lines and the terrain.
- [NTSB ANC20CA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA049.md): Cessna 185 · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 6, 2020 · N185SZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to attempt to " water ski" atop a remote river in a wheel-equipped airplane, resulting in a loss of control and a nose over.
- [NTSB WPR20CA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA125.md): Cessna 172 · Yakima, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2020 · N75765 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude during a go-around, which resulted in impact with hilly terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA143.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Pecan Gap, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 8, 2020 · N9185D · Destroyed
  > The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from tree, which resulted in a collision with a tree and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20CA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA144.md): Robinson R22 · Seymour, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 6, 2020 · N7007X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN20CA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA139.md): Rans S-12 Airaile · Hillrose, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 4, 2020 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot's diverted attention while looking at a fire during low-altitude flying, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN20LA442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA442.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Sterling City, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 12, 2020 · N4386W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ERA20CA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA131.md): American Legand AL18 · Social Circle, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 10, 2020 · N23TN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in the collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20CA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA128.md): Stolp Starduster Acroduster II SA750 · Senoia, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 7, 2020 · N529FM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid trees while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB WPR20CA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA092.md): Bell OH 58A · Colexico, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2020 · N288NS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to arrest the descent rate while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA085.md): Robinson R44 · Marfa, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 14, 2020 · N441KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during low-altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB ANC20CA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA018.md): Cessna 172 · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 6, 2020 · N817PS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR20WA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA076.md): Lockheed C130 · Cooma, Australia · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jan 23, 2020 · N134CG · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA20LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA094.md): Airborne America AX9-140 · Homestead, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 19, 2020 · N970TC · Minor damage
  > The pilot's decision to operate the balloon at low altitude near obstructions, structures, and powerlines, which resulted in the balloon contacting powerlines. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's inadequate oversight of…
- [NTSB WPR20WA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA037.md): Robinson R44 · Eschowe, South Africa · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 5, 2019 · ZS-RRS · Substantial damage
  > The government of South Africa has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ROBINSON R44 helicopter that occurred on December 5, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of South Africa's investigation under…
- [NTSB GAA20CA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA063.md): Sikorsky S 58JT · Lebanon, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 10, 2019 · N827MW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from a tractor trailer during landing.
- [NTSB GAA20CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA066.md): American AA 5 · Gilbert, SC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 2, 2019 · N24AU · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper approach path, which resulted in impact with a tree.
- [NTSB ERA20FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA027.md): Grumman OV-1 · Stuart, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 1, 2019 · N10VD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper recovery from a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in descent into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA019.md): Mooney M20A · Summit Point, WV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 24, 2019 · N8354E · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to conduct a practice stall maneuver at low altitude, which resulted in inadequate altitude remaining in which to recover before impacting terrain.
- [NTSB GAA20CA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA033.md): Weatherly 620 · Fabens, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 17, 2019 · N9033T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power wires while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA20FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA012.md): Bell 206 · New Salem, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 17, 2019 · N167AG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in impact with a powerline.
- [NTSB GAA20CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA020.md): Ayres S2R · Willacoochee, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 11, 2019 · N3090C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA20CA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA018.md): Foxworthy Rick A Sonex · Langley, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 11, 2019 · N612RF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in impact with a tree.
- [NTSB CEN19LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA316.md): Infinity Powered Parachutes IPP2 · Eustace, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 12, 2019 · N6035L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a power line. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to fly at an altitude too low to avoid obstacles.
- [NTSB ERA19LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA263.md): Weatherly 620 · Russellville, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2019 · N90104 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid powerlines during low-altitude agricultural spraying flight operations.
- [NTSB WPR19FA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA246.md): Beech 33 · St. Ignatius, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 29, 2019 · N9529Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude, which resulted in impact with power lines and terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA509](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA509.md): Robinson R44 · Cypress Island, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 21, 2019 · N7186P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree while maneuvering at a low altitude.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/cases.md?page=6

## 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=5

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