# 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 3 of 16 · 794 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [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 WPR23LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA338.md): Bell 212 · Balch Camp, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 10, 2023 · N873HL · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate performance planning for the operation that resulted in an excessive gross weight for the operating conditions, leading to a loss of altitude during maneuvering and contact with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…
- [NTSB WPR23LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA322.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-5B · Lone Pine, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 19, 2023 · N4537Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft, which resulted in collision with terrain.
- [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 CEN23LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA357.md): Piper PA25 · Hartington, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2023 · N8847L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misperception of the rising terrain resulting in a collision with crops and terrain.
- [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 ERA23LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA326.md): Hughes 369 · Elberon, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 5, 2023 · N353AH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact.
- [NTSB CEN23LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA341.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Arthur, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 31, 2023 · N644ME · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [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 CEN23LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA328.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Hanlontown, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 26, 2023 · N467HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a cable during spray operations.
- [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 ERA23LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA307.md): Bell 206 · Terra Alta, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2023 · N9913K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maneuver the helicopter for recovery after experiencing a strong, unanticipated tailwind in a confined operating area, which resulted in a descent and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA311.md): Air Tractor AT-802 · Benson, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2023 · N22FK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately survey a field for obstructions prior to a low-level aerial application pass, which resulted in an impact with a powerline. Contributing to the accident was the degraded visibility due to the smoke in the area.
- [NTSB CEN23LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA308.md): Hughes 369D · Atchison, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2023 · N533DR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately survey a field for obstructions prior to a low-level aerial application pass, which resulted in an impact with a powerline.
- [NTSB CEN23LA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA280.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Amity, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2023 · N828WP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid wires while conducting a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN23LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA279.md): Bell 206B · Chapman, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2023 · N67FA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the power line during an agricultural application pass.
- [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 CEN23LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA219.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Pontiac, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 31, 2023 · N7102Z · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s inadequate compensation for gusting wind, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with the ground.
- [NTSB CEN23LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA212.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Light, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2023 · N6678Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot exceeding the climb capability of the airplane during takeoff which led to it settling into the ground.
- [NTSB CEN23LA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA303.md): Ayres S2R-G6 · Ulysses, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 27, 2023 · N4182G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a cable during spray operations.
- [NTSB ERA23LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA245.md): Piper PA-25-260 · Hollywood, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 25, 2023 · N454AB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper banner pickup approach, which resulted in the banner tow hook contacting the airplane, and the subsequent overload separation of the right rudder control horn, resulting in a loss of airplane control.
- [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 WPR23LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA147.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Midway, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 8, 2023 · N7530D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a pinnacle landing that resulted in a hard landing and subsequent roll over.
- [NTSB WPR23LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA145.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Elko, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 1, 2023 · N462BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed in gusting tailwind conditions that resulted in an unrecoverable descent and impact with terrain.
- [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 WPR23LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA120.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Vernalis, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 3, 2023 · N48492 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR23LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA105.md): Hughes 269C · Yakima, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 6, 2023 · N7452F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid a powerline while flying at low altitude over a river.
- [NTSB WPR23LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA103.md): Piper PA-12 · Porterville, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 4, 2023 · N3969B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN23LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA086.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Fowlerton, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 10, 2023 · N811S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with trees, which resulted in an uncontrollable spin due to tail rotor damage.
- [NTSB CEN23LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA063.md): Rockwell International S2R-G6 · Mission, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 6, 2022 · N4205X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an electrical box.
- [NTSB WPR23LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA053.md): Aviat A-1C-180 · Morgan, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 3, 2022 · N60WY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low attitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s loss of visual reference due to snow and flat light conditions.
- [NTSB CEN23LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA058.md): Stinson 108-3 · Regent, ND · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 3, 2022 · N7659X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain clearance from high tension wires while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN23LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA047.md): Seace David A Gyroplane · Iredell, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 22, 2022 · N44088 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low-level maneuvering.
- [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 CEN22LA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA414.md): Cessna 172M · Fort Collins, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 12, 2022 · N9049H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while intentionally maneuvering the airplane at low altitudes, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
- [NTSB WPR22LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA339.md): Bell 205A-1 · Cougar, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 7, 2022 · N66HJ · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter’s encounter with downdrafts during a low-altitude hovering maneuver while dipping for water.
- [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 CEN22LA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA387.md): Robinson Helicopter R66 · Millville, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 16, 2022 · N641RZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate inflight planning resulted in impact with a power line.
- [NTSB CEN22LA366](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA366.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Maynard, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 5, 2022 · N619RB · Substantial damage
  > An impact with a powerline as a result of an unexpected wind gust.
- [NTSB CEN22LA365](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA365.md): Ultramagic M56C · Indianola, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 4, 2022 · N801UM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines.
- [NTSB CEN22LA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA359.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Melville, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2022 · N41850 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot improperly monitored the operating environment which resulted in a collision with a tree located in the middle of a field.
- [NTSB CEN22LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA350.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Marshall, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 31, 2022 · N458SG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately survey a field for obstructions prior to a low-level aerial application pass, which resulted in an impact with a powerline.
- [NTSB CEN22LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA356.md): Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 150A · Indianola, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 30, 2022 · N316EB · Minor damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering.
- [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.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?page=4

## 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 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?page=3

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