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 WPR14CA347Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEipper Formance Mxii · Salt Lake City, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN14CA426Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Lancaster, WIThe pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN14LA423Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 5 · Mansfield, ILThe 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 CEN14FA414Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-201 · Steamboat Springs, COThe 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 CEN14CA392Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Caputa, SDThe student pilot's improper takeoff procedure and the flight instructor's failure to take control of the airplane and abort the takeoff.NTSB WPR14CA296Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G 2A · Merced, CAThe pilot's failure to adequately monitor the environment to maintain clearance from the power pole guide wire during low level maneuvering.NTSB CEN14CA360Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Englewood, COThe 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 WPR14CA270Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Quincy, WAThe 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 CEN14CA314Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 402B · Newport, ARThe pilot misjudged his altitude which resulted in the airplane contacting a wire during the low altitude aerial application maneuver.NTSB WPR14LA230Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Laytonville, CAThe pilot’s impairment due to alcohol ingestion, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-altitude flyby.NTSB WPR14CA216Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · San Manuel, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance altitude from phone wires while performing low-level operations.NTSB CEN14WA254Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT802 · Seron, SpainOn 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 WPR14FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Santa Paula, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while flying at a low altitude.NTSB CEN14FA230Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 25-235 · Northglenn, COThe 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 WPR14FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing E75 · Fairfield, CAThe 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 ERA14CA229Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGingras Michel Aventura II · Punta Gorda, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while operating at a low altitude.NTSB CEN14LA222Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Cleburne, TXThe 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 CEN14LA211Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502B · Garfield, KSThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and subsequent failure to remain clear of power lines while maneuvering low to the ground.NTSB CEN14CA164Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28R-201 · Ruidoso, NMThe 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 CEN14CA160Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28-235 · De Beque, COThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN14FA122Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L 3 · Silt, COThe 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 CEN14LA103Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 430 · West Delta 109The pilot’s failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from a handrail on a crane davit on an oil platform during landing.NTSB WPR14CA066Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Monticello, UTThe passenger's accidental discharge of the net gun which resulted in the net going through a main rotor blade.NTSB WPR14CA048Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMaule MX 7-235 · San Ynez, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering at low altitude in hilly terrain.NTSB ERA14LA011Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing B75N1 · Tampa, FLThe 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 WPR14LA005Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Paulden, AZThe 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 WPR13LA429Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTexas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 · Santa Maria, CAThe pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during a low-altitude maneuver.NTSB WPR13LA420Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMiller RV6 · Williams, CAThe pilot's improper decision to fly at a low altitude, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from power lines.NTSB CEN13LA537Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportContinental Copters Tomcat MK5A · Arlington, MNThe 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 CEN13LA533Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Atlantic, IAThe 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 CEN13FA517Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Caballo, NMThe 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 CEN13LA464Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-300 · Santa Teresa, NMThe 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 CEN13LA461Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Ackerly, TXThe pilot’s failure to identify and maintain adequate clearance from a shield wire that was suspended between power transmission line towers.NTSB WPR13LA358Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Chualar, CAMaintenance 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 CEN13FA456Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Chesterfield, MOThe pilot’s failure to establish and maintain a positive climb rate during the initial climb in night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN13LA444Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEagle DW-1 · Eagle Lake, MNThe pilot's misjudgment of tree heights, which resulted in the collision with a tree.NTSB CEN13LA425Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-400 · Steward, ILThe 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 CEN13LA395Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Plover, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper engine rpm, which resulted in a high rate of descent and ground impact.NTSB CEN13LA377Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDankelman Peter G RV-7A · Marion, TXThe pilot’s sudden incapacitation and natural death as a result of cardiovascular disease.NTSB CEN13LA375Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Colome, SDThe 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 WPR13LA283Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportExtra 300/LT · Adrian, ORThe 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 CEN13LA368Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNanchang China CJ-6 · Wolcott, COThe pilots decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude from which he was unable to recover.NTSB CEN13LA358Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Durango, COThe 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 CEN13LA353Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Minot, NDThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN13FA327Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Mosca, COThe 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 CEN13LA322Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Covington, OKThe 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 CEN13LA263Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Udall, KSThe pilot's inadequate flight planning, which resulted in a wire strike.NTSB WPR13CA204Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Wells, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB CEN13LA211Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Plainview, TXThe student pilot's improper decision to fly in night visual meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain altitude and clearance from obstacles.NTSB ERA13CA163Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Greenbrier, ALThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees.