# 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 9 of 14 · 675 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB WPR14CA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA347.md): Eipper Formance Mxii · Salt Lake City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 16, 2014 · N1624Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN14CA426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA426.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Lancaster, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 13, 2014 · N8343P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN14LA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA423.md): Bell 47G 5 · Mansfield, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2014 · N7089J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude flight in gusting wind conditions following his use of a sedating medication.
- [NTSB CEN14FA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA414.md): Piper PA 28R-201 · Steamboat Springs, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 2014 · N3509M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain a climb while attempting to cross over a mountain pass in high-density altitude conditions that degraded the airplane’s climb performance. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt the flight in…
- [NTSB CEN14CA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA392.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Caputa, SD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 26, 2014 · N5530K · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper takeoff procedure and the flight instructor's failure to take control of the airplane and abort the takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR14CA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA296.md): Bell 47G 2A · Merced, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 18, 2014 · N47DT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately monitor the environment to maintain clearance from the power pole guide wire during low level maneuvering.
- [NTSB CEN14CA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA360.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Englewood, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 11, 2014 · N69MP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain control of the helicopter during the takeoff resulting in low rotor rpm and impact of the fuel trailer during the running landing.
- [NTSB WPR14CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA270.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Quincy, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2014 · N560LH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wind generator tower while drying cherries, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN14CA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA314.md): Air Tractor AT 402B · Newport, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 21, 2014 · N428JJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot misjudged his altitude which resulted in the airplane contacting a wire during the low altitude aerial application maneuver.
- [NTSB WPR14LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA230.md): Cessna 172M · Laytonville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 2014 · N1186U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s impairment due to alcohol ingestion, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-altitude flyby.
- [NTSB WPR14CA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA216.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · San Manuel, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 31, 2014 · N7122E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance altitude from phone wires while performing low-level operations.
- [NTSB CEN14WA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14WA254.md): Air Tractor AT802 · Seron, Spain · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 26, 2014 · EC-LCA · Destroyed
  > On May 26, 2014, about 1400 UTC, an Air Tractor AT-802 airplane, EC-LCA, (s/n 802-0326), impacted terrain during a firefighting operation near Seron, Spain. A post-impact fire occurred and the airplane was subsequently destroyed. The pilot sustained fatal…
- [NTSB WPR14FA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA203.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Santa Paula, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 23, 2014 · N4081H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while flying at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN14FA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA230.md): Piper PA 25-235 · Northglenn, CO · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · May 5, 2014 · N4519Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to operate the banner-tow flight below the minimum safe altitude specified by federal regulation, which likely limited his ability to recover from a potential loss of airspeed due to a gusting wind condition. Also causal was the pilot’s…
- [NTSB WPR14FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA182.md): Boeing E75 · Fairfield, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 4, 2014 · N68828 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low-level aerobatic maneuver due to his impairment by an over-the-counter antihistamine. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries were the pilot's lack of fire protective clothing,…
- [NTSB ERA14CA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA229.md): Gingras Michel Aventura II · Punta Gorda, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 27, 2014 · N543MG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while operating at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN14LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA222.md): Hughes 269A · Cleburne, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 25, 2014 · N90636 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from terrain while transitioning to a hover taxi and the instructor pilot's inadequate remedial action to prevent the impending tail rotor contact.
- [NTSB CEN14LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA211.md): Air Tractor AT 502B · Garfield, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 22, 2014 · N51990 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and subsequent failure to remain clear of power lines while maneuvering low to the ground.
- [NTSB CEN14CA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA164.md): Piper PA 28R-201 · Ruidoso, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 19, 2014 · N3398M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adjust the engine's fuel-air mixture and decision to takeoff in high density attitude conditions which degraded the airplane's performance.
- [NTSB CEN14CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA160.md): Piper PA 28-235 · De Beque, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 14, 2014 · N9172W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN14FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA122.md): Bell 206L 3 · Silt, CO · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 2014 · N207DS · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning for a low-level aerial surveillance flight of power transmission lines, which led to his being unaware of the crossing power line while flying toward the sun and his subsequent failure to maintain sufficient clearance…
- [NTSB CEN14LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA103.md): Bell 430 · West Delta 109 · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 2014 · N430CT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from a handrail on a crane davit on an oil platform during landing.
- [NTSB WPR14CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA066.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Monticello, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 6, 2013 · N2066W · Substantial damage
  > The passenger's accidental discharge of the net gun which resulted in the net going through a main rotor blade.
- [NTSB WPR14CA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA048.md): Maule MX 7-235 · San Ynez, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 11, 2013 · N88CR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering at low altitude in hilly terrain.
- [NTSB ERA14LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA011.md): Boeing B75N1 · Tampa, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 2013 · N65355 · No damage
  > The parachutist’s low altitude departure from the right wing before the planned altitude and his delayed opening of his parachute canopy, which resulted in impact with a tree and then the ground before the parachute fully opened.
- [NTSB WPR14LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA005.md): Cessna 340A · Paulden, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2013 · N312GC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear a radio tower while maneuvering at low altitude and his decision to make a high-speed, low pass over the gun club.
- [NTSB WPR13LA429](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA429.md): Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 · Santa Maria, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 2013 · N38113 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during a low-altitude maneuver.
- [NTSB WPR13LA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA420.md): Miller RV6 · Williams, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2013 · N67GM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to fly at a low altitude, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from power lines.
- [NTSB CEN13LA537](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA537.md): Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A · Arlington, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2013 · N9005T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering when he removed his hand from the collective control while plugging in his radio connection to his helmet, which resulted in the collective moving to the full-down position.
- [NTSB CEN13LA533](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA533.md): Grumman G-164A · Atlantic, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2013 · N7843 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s delay in releasing product to reduce the airplane’s weight and improve its climb performance, which was reduced because of the high density altitude.
- [NTSB CEN13FA517](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA517.md): Robinson R44 II · Caballo, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2013 · N3156U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering near the ground because dust stirred up by the rotor wash obscured his visibility.
- [NTSB CEN13LA464](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA464.md): Piper PA-36-300 · Santa Teresa, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2013 · N3789E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree at the completion of an agricultural spray run. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to accept a high level of risk to spray a small field bordered by multiple obstacles and his fatigue…
- [NTSB CEN13LA461](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA461.md): Hughes 369D · Ackerly, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2013 · N8688F · No damage
  > The pilot’s failure to identify and maintain adequate clearance from a shield wire that was suspended between power transmission line towers.
- [NTSB WPR13LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA358.md): Bell 206B · Chualar, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2013 · N90146 · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's failure to properly tighten the bolts securing the main driveshaft to the transmission, which resulted in fatigue failure of the bolts and disconnection of the driveshaft during low-altitude flight.
- [NTSB CEN13FA456](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA456.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Chesterfield, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2013 · N225CD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to establish and maintain a positive climb rate during the initial climb in night instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB CEN13LA444](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA444.md): Eagle DW-1 · Eagle Lake, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2013 · N8803Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgment of tree heights, which resulted in the collision with a tree.
- [NTSB CEN13LA425](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA425.md): Air Tractor AT-400 · Steward, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2013 · N155HF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the guy wires during an aerial application maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to identify potential obstructions in the area before beginning low-altitude maneuvers.
- [NTSB CEN13LA395](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA395.md): Bell 47G-3B-1 · Plover, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2013 · N7924S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper engine rpm, which resulted in a high rate of descent and ground impact.
- [NTSB CEN13LA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA377.md): Dankelman Peter G RV-7A · Marion, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 2013 · N445RV · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s sudden incapacitation and natural death as a result of cardiovascular disease.
- [NTSB CEN13LA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA375.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Colome, SD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 26, 2013 · N3168X · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident engine run revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB WPR13LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA283.md): Extra 300/LT · Adrian, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2013 · N169TM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to conduct low-level maneuvering in a river canyon with power lines, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.
- [NTSB CEN13LA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA368.md): Nanchang China CJ-6 · Wolcott, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2013 · N2726C · Substantial damage
  > The pilots decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude from which he was unable to recover.
- [NTSB CEN13LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA358.md): Piper PA-28R-180 · Durango, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2013 · N7444J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to take off with a tailwind at a high-density altitude, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to maintain the initial climb rate.
- [NTSB CEN13LA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA353.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Minot, ND · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 2013 · N8522S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN13FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA327.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Mosca, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2013 · N7147R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while attempting to clear a mountain pass in turbulent conditions at a high density altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN13LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA322.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Covington, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 2013 · N6754Q · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s failure to climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB CEN13LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA263.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Udall, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 5, 2013 · N628JP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate flight planning, which resulted in a wire strike.
- [NTSB WPR13CA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA204.md): Bell 206B · Wells, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2013 · N4237M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN13LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA211.md): Bellanca 17-30A · Plainview, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2013 · N96JG · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper decision to fly in night visual meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain altitude and clearance from obstacles.
- [NTSB ERA13CA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA163.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Greenbrier, AL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 24, 2013 · N7310N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/cases.md?page=10

## 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=9

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