NTSB investigations
675 cases where the defining event was Low altitude operation/event.
Cases, newest first
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CEN09LA409Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Latimer, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while flying at a low altitude.NTSB ERA09LA344Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDehavilland DHC-6 Twin · Orange, VAThe pilot's improper decision to perform a low-level maneuver over a populated skydive landing area and his inadequate visual lookout.NTSB CEN09LA355Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander S2R · Cordova, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with terrain after clearing an obstacle during an agricultural application pass.NTSB WPR09FA284Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Morristown, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line.NTSB WPR09LA269Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStorch Aviation Australia PTY SS-MK4 · Boulder, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low altitude maneuvering.NTSB ERA09CA298Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportAyres S2R-G1 · Bald Eagle, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line.NTSB ERA09CA292Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Memphis, TNThe pilots' decision to fly at a low altitude and their inadequate visual lookout while maneuvering.NTSB ERA09CA294Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna R182 · Collins, MSThe 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 CEN09LA297Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S-2R · Monroe, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines during an aerial application run.NTSB WPR09CA224Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Cottonwood, AZThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from wires.NTSB WPR09LA226Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369FF · Santa Clarita, CAThe 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 WPR09CA220Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH-58A · Arvin, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from wires during aerial application maneuvers.NTSB WPR09LA203Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportExtra EA-300 · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain for undetermined reasons while performing aerobatics.NTSB WPR09CA190Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAyres S2R-T34 · Cove, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from rising terrain while maneuvering.NTSB WPR09CA163Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Chowchilla, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.NTSB CEN09LA225Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Ville Platte, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines during an aerial application run.NTSB WPR09FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180F · Townsend, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB ERA09LA194Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Lee, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the overhead wire.NTSB CEN09CA194Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Harrold, SDThe 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 WPR09LA124Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Salinas, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire while intentionally maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB ERA09CA177Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportHI-Max 1700R · Windham, NHThe non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from houses while flying an unregistered experimental, amateur-built airplane.NTSB CEN09LA189Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRemos G-3/600 · Hilda, TXThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR09CA105Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bountiful, UTThe 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 ERA09LA139Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes OH-6A · Monroe, NCThe 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 WPR09CA088Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportQuicksilver Sport 2S R582 · Ventura, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water.NTSB ERA09CA129Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBuckeye Dream Machine · Grant, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wire.NTSB WPR09FA061Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Warner Springs, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from terrain during a low altitude maneuver.NTSB ERA09CA090Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH-58C · Osceola County, FLThe pilot's misjudgment of altitude during low-altitude spraying operations, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water.NTSB ERA09CA042Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSundt Daniel N Rotorway Exec 162-F · West Chester, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance above terrain while performing a pedal turn.NTSB WPR09CA030Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Friant, CAThe 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 CEN09CA037Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna R172E · Palo Pinto, TXThe pilot's intentional low-level flight and failure to maintain a visual lookout.NTSB CEN09LA023Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-285 · Silverton, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire.NTSB CEN09LA009Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSproul 72K-TET · Rio Rancho, NMThe 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 LAX08CA297Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · American Fork, UTThe pilot's selection of an inadequate altitude to enter a box canyon, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB SEA08LA200Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Napavine, WAThe pilot's decision to make a low-altitude pass, and his failure to maintain clearance from all structures while maneuvering.NTSB MIA08CA170Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502 · Satartia, MSThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in the in-flight collision with a 40-foot-tall antenna.NTSB MIA08LA167Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-T15 · Morton, MSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during low altitude maneuvering.NTSB CHI08CA252Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Cokato, MNThe 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 LAX08FA267Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Sahuarita, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering at low altitude for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC08CA279Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Tunica, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines during low-altitude maneuvers.NTSB LAX08LA266Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBowman Titan Tornado II · Needles, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a vehicle during a low-altitude flight over a highway.NTSB CHI08CA243Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Cosmos, MNThe 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 SEA08FA174Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Monticello, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude.NTSB MIA08LA161Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGT Ultralights Airborne Edge X · Franklin, METhe 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 SEA08CA168Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportWSL PZL Mielec · Caldwell, IDThe pilot failed to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was a vehicle.NTSB CHI08CA220Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT-401 · Lake View, IAThe pilot not obtaining/maintaining altitude/clearance from the power line while performing an aerial application maneuver.NTSB DFW08LA197Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMarshall James J Cozy MK IV · Midlothian, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wall of the rock quarry.NTSB CHI08CA212Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAyres S2R-T34 · Clinton, ILThe 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.NTSB MIA08CA145Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Greensburg, KYThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude maneuvers.NTSB DEN08FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Salesville, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the crossing transmission line.