# 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 7 of 16 · 794 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB WPR19FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA163.md): Piper PA28 · Antioch, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 10, 2019 · N7943C · Destroyed
  > A loss of control while conducting low-altitude, high-speed maneuvers.
- [NTSB GAA19CA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA354.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · La Ward, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2019 · N2602M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an aerial application flight in sun glare conditions.
- [NTSB WPR19FA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA159.md): Titan Titan II · Summerville, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 5, 2019 · N4362V · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA303.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Rockford, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 31, 2019 · N60518 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA19CA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA278.md): Bell 206 · Pittsfield, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 23, 2019 · N158H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain during agricultural application operations.
- [NTSB GAA19CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA270.md): Grumman G164 · Lane City, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 15, 2019 · N4865 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB GAA19CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA262.md): Cub Crafters Carbon CUB EX · Grand Junction, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 11, 2019 · N56XC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering through a canyon.
- [NTSB GAA19CA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA238.md): Aerospatiale AS350 · Sula, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 30, 2019 · N350DL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from ground equipment, which resulted in a tail rotor blade impact.
- [NTSB CEN19TA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19TA131.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · Quanah, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Apr 28, 2019 · N602AM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line during a low altitude aerial application maneuver.
- [NTSB GAA19CA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA216.md): Bell 47G · Donna, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 17, 2019 · N96671 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB CEN19FA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA117.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Harlingen, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 9, 2019 · N7314D · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines during low altitude flight operations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to a sedating medication.
- [NTSB ERA19FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA112.md): Piper PA25 · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 1, 2019 · N145AB · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance while maneuvering during a banner tow flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a 19-story building in a heavily congested area. Contributing to the accident were the easterly wind…
- [NTSB ERA19TA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA110.md): Sikorsky HH-60L · Tullahoma, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Feb 28, 2019 · N260MW · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s improper decision to continue the VFR flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees during a subsequent precautionary landing attempt.
- [NTSB CEN19LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA087.md): Warner Aerocraft Space Walker II · Devine, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 27, 2019 · N1778 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR19FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA080.md): Cessna 172 · Desert Hot Springs, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Feb 6, 2019 · N20556 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate and/or improper preparation for the flight in which he selected an altitude too low to assure terrain clearance and resulted in an impact with terrain in turbulent downdraft conditions.
- [NTSB WPR19LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA071.md): Bell 206 · Ashland, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 23, 2019 · N8227J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather, which resulted in an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and spatial disorientation leading to a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR19TA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA061.md): Bell 206 · Yuma, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jan 12, 2019 · N88HC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power transmission wires while flying at low altitude in nighttime conditions.
- [NTSB GAA19CA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA110.md): Robinson R44 · Grace, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 3, 2019 · N4246Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.
- [NTSB WPR19LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA055.md): Cessna 180 · Townsend, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 2, 2019 · N4934A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low level, which resulted in a wire strike and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR19WA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19WA040.md): Pilatus BN2A-20 · Hobart, Australia · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 7, 2018 · VH-OBL · Destroyed
  > On December 7, 2018, at 0929 Universal Time Coordinated, a Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd, BN2A-20, VH-OBL was destroyed when it collided with terrain near the Hobart Aerodrome, Hobart, Australia. The pilot, who was the sole occupant was fatally injured. The…
- [NTSB GAA19CA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA078.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Americus, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 28, 2018 · N843WA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB ERA19FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA047.md): Bell OH 58C · Verbena, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 16, 2018 · N510CP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to conduct a low-level flight over a river, and his failure to see and avoid power lines, which resulted in the helicopter's impact with power lines and the water.
- [NTSB CEN19FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA020.md): Hughes 369 · McDougal, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 2, 2018 · N5187S · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the helicopter's clearance from the powerline structure while hovering in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the structure and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA039.md): Bell OH 58A · Carson City, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 27, 2018 · N1032F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude in hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to determine the airplane’s altitude due to sun glare.
- [NTSB CEN19LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA016.md): Rotorway 162 · Passaic, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 27, 2018 · N162RF · Substantial damage
  > The electrical short in the main rotor rpm indicating unit which provided an inaccurate indication to the student pilot and resulted in substantial damage during the precautionary autorotation.
- [NTSB CEN19FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA003.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Placedo, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2018 · N6135P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the antenna tower, a known obstruction, during the agricultural application flight. Contributing to the accident was glare from the sun which hindered the pilot's ability to see and avoid the antenna tower.
- [NTSB GAA18CA563](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA563.md): Air Tractor AT802 · Napoleon, ND · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 21, 2018 · N968JB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line pole during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA18CA573](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA573.md): Hiller UH 12E · Frankfort, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 20, 2018 · N1349A · Substantial damage
  > The ground crewmember's improper grabbing of the hovering helicopter's skid during an external load hook-up, which resulted in the helicopter descending and the main rotors striking ground equipment.
- [NTSB WPR18FA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA261.md): Gruber Beelzabub · Rochester, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 14, 2018 · N382T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR18FA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA260.md): Robert L Coons RotorWay RW 1 · Billings, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2018 · N166LC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a hangar while maneuvering to his hangar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in helicopters.
- [NTSB GAA18CA533](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA533.md): Taylorcraft BC12 · Cut Bank, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 5, 2018 · N95514 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power wires while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to determine the airplane’s altitude due to sun glare.
- [NTSB CEN18LA363](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA363.md): Cessna P210N · Crete, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2018 · N210PF · Substantial damage
  > The stuck turbocharger wastegate in the closed position for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. Also causal was the pilot's failure to reduce the throttle during takeoff when the manifold pressure and fuel flow exceeded…
- [NTSB GAA18CA506](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA506.md): Hughes 369 · Ridgeway, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2018 · N89ZC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial observation flight.
- [NTSB WPR18LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA227.md): Cessna 182 · Salmon, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 18, 2018 · N84CP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with downdraft conditions, which resulted in a loss of altitude, and the pilot’s subsequent decision to conduct a precautionary landing into a stand of trees.
- [NTSB GAA18CA512](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA512.md): Bell 206 · Battle Mountain, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2018 · N8052G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude and airspeed while flying in a canyon in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA18CA502](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA502.md): WSK PZL Mielec M-18A · Dansville, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2018 · N851EJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from crops during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB ERA18FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA208.md): Champion 8GCBC · Foley, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2018 · N424A · Destroyed
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in a subsequent aerodynamic stall and spin at an altitude that was too low for recovery.
- [NTSB CEN18LA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA303.md): Buchanan Kitfox IV · Loma, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 2018 · N125TY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to conduct a low-altitude flight over a river and his inadequate monitoring of the environment, which resulted in a collision with a cableway.
- [NTSB CEN18FA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA297.md): Aeronca 7AC · Alexandria, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2018 · N85506 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's intentional low-altitude flight, which resulted in an impact with power lines.
- [NTSB GAA18CA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA453.md): Robinson R44 · Elma, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2018 · N466EL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB CEN18FA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA263.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Wheatley, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2018 · N8508P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN18FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA232.md): Air Tractor AT 502B · Enid, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jun 19, 2018 · N2063B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid a known obstacle (communications tower) during agricultural spraying operations.
- [NTSB GAA18CA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA352.md): Bell 206 · Orondo, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2018 · N2762P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA18CA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA378.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369 · Yabucoa, PR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 16, 2018 · N900FF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor clearance from a fiber line while picking up a lineman.
- [NTSB CEN18FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA215.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Oshkosh, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2018 · N529DW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly over the river at a low altitude and his failure to maintain clearance with wires during low-level flight.
- [NTSB CEN18WA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA234.md): Piper PA-25 · Cajeme, Sonora, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 7, 2018 · XB-YEI · Substantial damage
  > On June 7, 2018, a Mexican registered Piper PA-25, XB-YEI, impacted electrical cables and terrain near Cajeme, Sonora, Mexico. The pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Cajeme, Mexico, on a local aerial…
- [NTSB CEN18FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA182.md): MD Helicopter 369D · Luling, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 20, 2018 · N362JS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the powerline structure while hovering, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the structure and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA18CA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA309.md): Air Tractor AT 402 · Nicolaus, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 19, 2018 · N5128N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power transmission wire.
- [NTSB CEN18LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA183.md): Hughes 369A · Stoneburg, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 19, 2018 · N369GK · Destroyed
  > The pilot's unsafe and aggressive operation of the helicopter at low altitude, which resulted in impact with trees.
- [NTSB GAA18CA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA247.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Sonora, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 18, 2018 · N4487D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at a low altitude.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?page=8

## 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=7

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