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 CEN16LA222Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American AT-6D · Henley, MOThe pilot’s decision to conduct extended inverted flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel flow disruption. Contributing to the accident was his decision to conduct aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude, which precluded him from…NTSB CEN16FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of alcohol and diphenhydramine, which led to his improper decision to fly after drinking alcohol and degraded…NTSB WPR16FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell S2R · De Smet, IDThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from guy wires during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reduced ability to see the guy wires due to sun glare.NTSB GAA16CA303Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502 · Nicolaus, CAThe pilot's insufficient clearance from a power line during aerial application operations, which resulted in a power line strike, a forced landing on unsuitable terrain, loss of directional control, and collision with terrain.NTSB GAA16CA266Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 177 · Pine Bluff, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and her exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during a low-altitude turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA16FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGreg Connell Pitts S-2SW · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain proper positioning during performance of an aerobatic maneuver and his subsequent failure to discontinue maneuvering when unable to reestablish proper positioning during a steep descent toward the ground.NTSB CEN16LA181Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502 · West, TXThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid cellular tower guy wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate at low altitude.NTSB GAA16CA213Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Troutdale, ORThe flight instructor's failure to monitor outside the helicopter during hover flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain and rollover.NTSB GAA16CA173Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech F35 · Long Island, NCThe pilot's decision to maneuver at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines and substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.NTSB GAA16CA165Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Hanford, CAThe pilot's decision to release the collective while flying at 10 feet above ground level, resulting in the rapid helicopter descent and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN16FA087Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 22-108 · Garden City, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during a low altitude flight.NTSB WPR16FA040Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350 · Superior, AZThe pilot's loss of helicopter control in mountainous terrain as the result of operating the helicopter outside the performance envelope of its hydraulic system and encountering the servo transparency phenomenon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…NTSB GAA16CA080Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAviat A1 · Broadus, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires while flying at a low altitude resulting in a wire strike, a loss of airplane control, and the consequent impact with terrain.NTSB GAA15CA266Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer G 164B · Paxton, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from a power line during low altitude flight operations, which resulted in an impact with the power line, and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB WPR15LA257Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Manra Island, KiribatiA The loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined asbecause the helicopter sank in the oceanwater and was not recovered.NTSB WPR15LA255Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Jerome, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while conducting a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver.NTSB ERA15FA335Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCooper Michael C RV 8A · Advance, NCThe pilots' failure to maintain airplane control during a low-altitude maneuver.NTSB GAA15CA255Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAviat A-1C-200 · Irwin, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during low level flight, which resulted in the airplane striking a wire, impacting water, and nosing over.NTSB CEN15LA384Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 602 · Pine Bluff, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN15LA367Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Wiville, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a utility pole while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in damage to the right aileron and a subsequent uncontrolled right roll at a low altitude.NTSB CEN15LA403Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Big Piney, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while operating over high mountainous terrain, which resulted in an emergency landing after the airplane's encounter with a downdraft.NTSB CEN15CA348Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Kansasville, WIThe pilot's inability to see and avoid power lines that were low to the ground and a green color that blended with the background crops.NTSB CEN15LA341Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Atkinson, ILThe pilot's improper decision to intentionally fly the helicopter at a low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a power line.NTSB GAA15CA204Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAirbus AS350-B2 · Tucson, AZThe flight instructor's misperception of the helicopter's altitude in relation to the runway surface during a low altitude maneuver, resulting in ground impact.NTSB ANC15FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Trapper Creek, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while intentionally maneuvering close to the ground.NTSB GAA15CA232Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Prairie Lea, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees.NTSB CEN15CA293Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A188B · Crawfordsville, INThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the powerline during an aerial application operations.NTSB WPR15FA204Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Asotin, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines while maneuvering in a canyon.NTSB GAA15CA153Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA 5A · Mackay, IDThe student pilot's disorientation in mountainous terrain and course deviation into a canyon, which resulted in the airplane's inability to out climb terrain and a forced landing.NTSB WPR15FA195Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportShort Brothers S312 Tucano T MK1 · Maricopa, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during low-level airwork, which resulted in uncontrolled collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from the combined effects of butalbital and codeine.NTSB ERA15WA246Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-25-235 · Patrocínio Municipality,Minas Gerais, BrazilOn June 5, 2015, about 1506 universal coordinated time, Piper PA-25-235, Brazilian registration PR-ACH, was substantially damaged by collision with terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in Patrocinio Municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Brazilian…NTSB ERA15WA235Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna A188 · Puerto Gaitan, ColombiaOn June 4, 2015, about 1715 coordinated universal time, a Cessna A188, Colombian registration HK-1364, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines and then terrain during an aerial application flight near Puerto Gaitan, Colombia. The commercial…NTSB ANC15FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Bethel, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude, which resulted in collision with the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from carbon monoxide exposure in flight. The source of the carbon monoxide could not be determined because the…NTSB GAA15CA096Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAero Vodochody L39 · Grand Junction, COThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and subsequent failure to remain clear of power line wires while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR15FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Juntura, ORThe pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines while intentionally maneuvering at low altitude for the aerial observation flight.NTSB ERA15WA213Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Bajo Hondo, ArgentinaOn May 13, 2015, about 1835 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Cessna 182, Argentine registration LV-CXM, impacted power lines while maneuvering during an aerial survey flight near Bajo Hondo, Argentina. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured, and the…NTSB WPR15CA128Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEnstrom F28 - C · Shelby, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM during a low altitude operation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN15FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRose Thunder Mustang · Helotes, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance from terrain after initiating an aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude.NTSB WPR15CA107Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 - 180 · Garfield, WAThe pilot did not maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB CEN15CA153Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Asherton, TXThe pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from the trees.NTSB CEN15LA077Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNew Piper PA 32R-301T · Springfield, MOThe pilot’s decision to descend below the recommended altitude during approach for landing in night visual meteorological conditions, and his failure to see and avoid a lighted tower, which resulted in collision with the tower and a subsequent total loss of…NTSB CEN15CA095Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Mount Pleasant, TXThe pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane at low altitude resulting in the airplane impacting power lines.NTSB ERA15CA055Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter MD500 · Decatur, ALAn undetermined pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an electrical transmission tower resulting in substantial damage to a main rotor blade. Postaccident investigation could not determine which of two pilots was flying the helicopter at the time the…NTSB CEN15LA026Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStephenson Stol CH 701 · Mount Vernon, INThe pilot’s impairment due to the ingestion of alcohol and sedating medications, which led to her improper decision to conduct low-level flight, affected her ability to safety operate the airplane, and resulted in her failure to maintain clearance from power…NTSB CEN15CA025Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Harper, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering.NTSB WPR15GA005Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMarsh S 2F3AT · El Portal, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB ERA15CA010Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportToerner Bob SEA REY · Tampa, FLThe pilot's failure to retract the landing gear after takeoff, which resulted in the landing gear contacting the water while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN15LA004Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCelier Xenon R · Loma, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static wire and his decision to maneuver the gyroplane at low altitude.NTSB CEN14LA487Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Macedonia, IAThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a static line.NTSB CEN14CA444Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369HS · Saint Peter, MNThe pilot did not see the wires resulting in the subsequent wire collision.