# Fatal 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 1 of 6 · 277 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA27FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA27FA010.md): Bell 407 · Myakka City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Investigation open · Oct 16, 2026 · N618TS
- [NTSB WPR26FA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA354.md): Cessna 172B · Royal City, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 24, 2026 · N44P · Substantial damage
  > On September 23, 2026, about 1711 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N44P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Royal City, Washington. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [NTSB ERA26FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA178.md): Mooney M20J · Ironton, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Apr 17, 2026 · N205MK · Substantial damage
  > On April 17, 2026, about 1414 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N205MK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ironton, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91…
- [NTSB WPR26FA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA121.md): MD Helicopters 369FF · Mojave, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Mar 9, 2026 · N530XX · Substantial damage
  > On March 9, 2026, about 1517 Pacific daylight time, an MD Helicopters 369FF, N530XX, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Mojave, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [NTSB WPR26FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA091.md): N126c CCX-1865 · Montour, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jan 27, 2026 · N126C · Substantial damage
  > On January 27, 2026, about 1100 mountain standard time, an amateur-built, experimental CCX-1865 Carbon Cub, N126C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Montour, Idaho. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The…
- [NTSB ERA26FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA039.md): Jabiru USA Sport J230-SP · New Bavaria, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Nov 14, 2025 · N755J · Substantial damage
  > On November 14, 2025, at 1708 eastern standard time, a Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft LLC J230-SP, N755J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near New Bavaria, Ohio. The sport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was…
- [NTSB GAA26WA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA26WA044.md): Air Tractor AT602 · Campo Novos dos Parecis, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 8, 2025 · PS-VRJ · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR26FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA031.md): Robinson Helicopter R66 · Ekalaka, MT · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Oct 23, 2025 · N67GA · Substantial damage
  > On October 22, 2025, about 1830 mountain daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Co. R66, N67GA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ekalaka, Montana. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as…
- [NTSB CEN25FA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA281.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Thibodaux, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 23, 2025 · N2611 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance to powerlines during an agricultural application pass.
- [NTSB ERA25LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA144.md): Schweizer 269C · Mogadore, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 14, 2025 · N262LH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude, at night, and over water, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with power lines.
- [NTSB WPR25FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA100.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 · Ririe, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 20, 2025 · N118LG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and decision to maneuver the helicopter at a low altitude, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines.
- [NTSB GAA25WA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA25WA099.md): Vans RV7 · Nizhny Novgorodr, Russia · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Feb 20, 2025 · RA-2296G
- [NTSB CEN25LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA075.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Batesville, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 12, 2025 · N8569V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while flying at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN25FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA019.md): Robinson R44 · Houston, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2024 · N881KE · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.
- [NTSB CEN24FA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA338.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Camden, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 5, 2024 · N602BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power transformer that was mounted to a power pole during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN24FA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA287.md): Bell 206 · Nashua, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 29, 2024 · N94XA · Substantial damage
  > On July 29, 2024 about 1330 central standard time, a Bell 206-B3 Helicopter, N94XA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Nashua, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…
- [NTSB WPR24FA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA255.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Izee, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 26, 2024 · N805DG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering through an area of low visibility due to wildfire smoke and haze.
- [NTSB WPR24FA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA213.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A · Chamberino, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 25, 2024 · N9709 · Destroyed
  > An aerodynamic stall and loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB WPR24FA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA184.md): Beech A45 · Deer Harbor, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 7, 2024 · N268AF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at low level, and his misjudged entry altitude for the maneuver, which resulted in impact with water.
- [NTSB WPR24FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA150.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Thurlow, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 14, 2024 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by his cell phone use while…
- [NTSB ERA24LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA114.md): Cessna 172M · Brookwood, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 16, 2024 · N9160H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN24FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA101.md): Lockwood AIR CAM · Ranchitos Las Lomas, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2024 · N315GW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a meteorological evaluation tower.
- [NTSB CEN24FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA049.md): MD Helicopters 600 · Sterling City, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 29, 2023 · N745MB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line pole’s static arm during forecasted gusting wind conditions, un-forecasted light turbulence, and un-forecasted low-level wind shear conditions, resulting in main rotor blade contact with the static…
- [NTSB CEN24FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA021.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Vidalia, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 24, 2023 · N5180W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s cell phone use and the position of the sun, which reduced the pilot’s ability to perceive the location of the power…
- [NTSB CEN24LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA006.md): Gyro Technic GT-VX2 · Saint Peter, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2023 · N557LJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering through a river valley.
- [NTSB CEN23FA412](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA412.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · New Rockford, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 19, 2023 · N502NB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from overhead power lines during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly under the power lines with a small area of clearance available for the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN23FA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA409.md): Thrush S2R-T660 · Ardoch, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 12, 2023 · N710TY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a guy wire during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ERA23LA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA334.md): Scoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS · Hickory, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 13, 2023 · N239WD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision and loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA23LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA332.md): Bell 47G-5 · Mifflinville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 12, 2023 · N1503L · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN23FA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA353.md): Air Tractor AT-802 · Gilman City, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2023 · N804AA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a steep turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.
- [NTSB CEN23LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA342.md): Bell 206B · Denison, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 30, 2023 · N231RL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inflight distraction, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid wires.
- [NTSB ERA23FA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA317.md): Bell 206-L4 · Springfield, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 29, 2023 · N652HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to remain clear of powerlines during an agricultural spraying operation.
- [NTSB CEN23LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA324.md): Air Tractor AT-402B · Clara City, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 25, 2023 · N291DL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a transmission line during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR23FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA223.md): Compagnie Daher TB 30 Epsilon · Apache Junction, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 10, 2023 · N759F · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into the mountainous terrain due to diminished depth perception as a result of the shadowing effect from the sun’s position. Contributing to the accident was the decision by all three pilots to fly low altitude around the…
- [NTSB CEN23FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA155.md): Junior Ace · Mammoth Springs, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 13, 2023 · N5545 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s intentional flight into terrain as an act of suicide.
- [NTSB ANC23FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA031.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 407 · Nuevo, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 24, 2023 · N14Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to maneuver in a steep bank at a low altitude, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA122.md): Rockwell International S-2R · Willows, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 8, 2023 · N8424V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while flying under multiple conductors during a low-altitude aerial application flight, which resulted in propeller contact with a powerline and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB ANC23FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA004.md): Piper PA-18 · Chickaloon, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 10, 2022 · N7123K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a cable.
- [NTSB WPR23LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA001.md): Scoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS · Perma, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2022 · N892SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerline.
- [NTSB GAA22WA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA290.md): Meriwether Jon Arion Lightning · Kenora, Canada · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Sep 21, 2022 · N638JM · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR22FA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA312.md): Jackson Dennis RV-8 · Scio, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 21, 2022 · N184DJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver and his improper execution of the maneuver, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN22FA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA347.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Ute, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 30, 2022 · N501MW · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inflight collision with a power line during aerial application.
- [NTSB CEN22LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA335.md): Ayres S2R-T34 · Parkin, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2022 · N4046S · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from tower guy wires while maneuvering.
- [NTSB CEN22FA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA288.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Blackwell, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 26, 2022 · N4124D · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance during low-level aerial application, resulting in an in-flight collision with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN22FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA240.md): HPH Spol Sro Glasflugel 304 MS · Rifle, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 9, 2022 · N249SD · Destroyed
  > The glider’s encounter with gusting tailwind and downdraft conditions that the pilot was unable to overcome.
- [NTSB WPR22FA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA195.md): Meyer Fred J Hornet · Lucerne Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 2, 2022 · N6366M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN22FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA215.md): Grumman American Avn. G-164 · Whiskerville, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 28, 2022 · N178LB · Destroyed
  > The pilot misjudged the approach during the emergency landing, likely due to the full chemical load, and impacted a ditch, resulting in substantial damage and postimpact fire. Contributing to the pilot’s injuries was the lack of a crash-resistant fuel system…
- [NTSB CEN22FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA053.md): Bell 206 · Perry, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 28, 2021 · N59600 · Destroyed
  > A loss of lateral control during a hover that resulted in an impact with terrain. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the loss of lateral control could not be determined.
- [NTSB WPR22FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA043.md): Cessna 182Q · Carlsbad, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 19, 2021 · N91AZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain separation from an FM tower guy wire while on an aerial survey flight.
- [NTSB ERA22LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA031.md): Vans RV-12 · Folkston, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 26, 2021 · N525AT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with a utility pole.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?fatal=1&page=2

## 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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '220' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent"))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence?fatal=1

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.