# 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 6 of 16 · 794 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB WPR20LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA163.md): Bell 206 · Fairfield, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 2, 2020 · N65PJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while conducting external load operations, which resulted in the main rotor contacting a wire and a subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA160.md): Champion 7ECA · Vine Grove, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 28, 2020 · N9557S · Substantial damage
  > Aircraft control was not maintained during initial climb with gusting wind that resulted in a collision with power lines and the terrain.
- [NTSB ANC20CA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA049.md): Cessna 185 · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 6, 2020 · N185SZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to attempt to " water ski" atop a remote river in a wheel-equipped airplane, resulting in a loss of control and a nose over.
- [NTSB WPR20CA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA125.md): Cessna 172 · Yakima, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2020 · N75765 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude during a go-around, which resulted in impact with hilly terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA143.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Pecan Gap, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 8, 2020 · N9185D · Destroyed
  > The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from tree, which resulted in a collision with a tree and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20CA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA144.md): Robinson R22 · Seymour, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 6, 2020 · N7007X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN20CA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA139.md): Rans S-12 Airaile · Hillrose, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 4, 2020 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot's diverted attention while looking at a fire during low-altitude flying, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN20LA442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA442.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Sterling City, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 12, 2020 · N4386W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ERA20CA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA131.md): American Legand AL18 · Social Circle, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 10, 2020 · N23TN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in the collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20CA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA128.md): Stolp Starduster Acroduster II SA750 · Senoia, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 7, 2020 · N529FM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid trees while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN20FA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA110.md): Cessna 172 · Lincoln, IL · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 3, 2020 · N157SF · Destroyed
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during an aerial survey, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover.
- [NTSB WPR20CA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA092.md): Bell OH 58A · Colexico, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2020 · N288NS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to arrest the descent rate while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA085.md): Robinson R44 · Marfa, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 14, 2020 · N441KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during low-altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB ANC20CA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA018.md): Cessna 172 · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 6, 2020 · N817PS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR20WA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA076.md): Lockheed C130 · Cooma, Australia · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jan 23, 2020 · N134CG · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA20LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA094.md): Airborne America AX9-140 · Homestead, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 19, 2020 · N970TC · Minor damage
  > The pilot's decision to operate the balloon at low altitude near obstructions, structures, and powerlines, which resulted in the balloon contacting powerlines. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's inadequate oversight of…
- [NTSB WPR20WA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA037.md): Robinson R44 · Eschowe, South Africa · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 5, 2019 · ZS-RRS · Substantial damage
  > The government of South Africa has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ROBINSON R44 helicopter that occurred on December 5, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of South Africa's investigation under…
- [NTSB GAA20CA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA063.md): Sikorsky S 58JT · Lebanon, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 10, 2019 · N827MW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from a tractor trailer during landing.
- [NTSB GAA20CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA060.md): Robinson R22 · Smoketown, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 4, 2019 · N8560A · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper cyclic input while hovering and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB GAA20CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA066.md): American AA 5 · Gilbert, SC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 2, 2019 · N24AU · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper approach path, which resulted in impact with a tree.
- [NTSB ERA20FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA027.md): Grumman OV-1 · Stuart, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 1, 2019 · N10VD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper recovery from a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in descent into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA019.md): Mooney M20A · Summit Point, WV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 24, 2019 · N8354E · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to conduct a practice stall maneuver at low altitude, which resulted in inadequate altitude remaining in which to recover before impacting terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA009.md): Vans RV-8 · White Plains, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 20, 2019 · N249BW · Destroyed
  > Impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB GAA20CA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA033.md): Weatherly 620 · Fabens, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 17, 2019 · N9033T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power wires while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA20FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA012.md): Bell 206 · New Salem, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 17, 2019 · N167AG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in impact with a powerline.
- [NTSB GAA20CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA020.md): Ayres S2R · Willacoochee, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 11, 2019 · N3090C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA20CA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA018.md): Foxworthy Rick A Sonex · Langley, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 11, 2019 · N612RF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in impact with a tree.
- [NTSB CEN19LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA316.md): Infinity Powered Parachutes IPP2 · Eustace, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 12, 2019 · N6035L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a power line. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to fly at an altitude too low to avoid obstacles.
- [NTSB ERA19LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA263.md): Weatherly 620 · Russellville, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2019 · N90104 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid powerlines during low-altitude agricultural spraying flight operations.
- [NTSB WPR19FA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA246.md): Beech 33 · St. Ignatius, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 29, 2019 · N9529Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude, which resulted in impact with power lines and terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA509](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA509.md): Robinson R44 · Cypress Island, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 21, 2019 · N7186P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA19CA502](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA502.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Onida, SD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 16, 2019 · N500KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power wires during agricultural application operations.
- [NTSB ERA19LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA246.md): Cessna 172 · Jay, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 13, 2019 · N84287 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to fly over a river at a very low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN19FA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA259.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Sumner, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2019 · N6113C · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s impairment by medical conditions and/or medications, which resulted in the airplane’s impact with power lines and terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA480](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA480.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Waco, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2019 · N730JD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA19CA481](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA481.md): Robinson R66 · Vandalia, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 2, 2019 · N1767L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA19CA473](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA473.md): Robinson R44 · Fessenden, ND · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2019 · N3066T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA19CA457](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA457.md): Bell 206 · Dukedom, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2019 · N454MS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB CEN19WA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19WA294.md): Air Tractor AT400 · Namiquipa, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 27, 2019 · XB-PNL · Substantial damage
  > The government of Mexico has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a AIR TRACTOR AT400 airplane that occurred on July 27, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Mexico's investigation under the…
- [NTSB GAA19CA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA454.md): Cessna T188 · Deshler, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N3367J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during low-altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB GAA19CA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA453.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Stanton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N15400 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA19CA452](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA452.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Welsh, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N1509E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a telephone pole during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB WPR19FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA188.md): Robinson R44 · Hayward, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 15, 2019 · N144TG · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ loss of control during a low altitude maneuver for undetermined reasons, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA19LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA227.md): Piper PA22 · Hastings, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2019 · N7833D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to secure the engine primer control, which resulted in an overly rich fuel/air mixture and degraded engine performance. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner.
- [NTSB CEN19LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA214.md): Piper PA18 · Bay City, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 6, 2019 · N796AB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a banner drop and pickup, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR19FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA183.md): Schempp Hirth Arcus · Ephraim, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 1, 2019 · N215MM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver in close proximity to terrain while attempting to remain in an area of lift, which resulted in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB ERA19TA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA204.md): Robinson R44 · Parsons, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jun 29, 2019 · N883TY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver the helicopter at low altitude over a river, which resulted in a wire strike and subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA193.md): Robinson R22 · Garwood, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 29, 2019 · N7143Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilots' failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low level operations.
- [NTSB GAA19CA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA352.md): Air Tractor AT402 · Liberal, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2019 · N5044Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid a windmill tower while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR19FA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA173.md): Piper PA-11 · Copperopolis, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 16, 2019 · N209H · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from consuming alcohol before the flight.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?page=7

## 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=6

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