# 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 9 of 16 · 794 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB WPR16FA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA169.md): Boeing A75N1(PT17) · Madras, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2016 · N999PP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low-level aerobatic maneuver. Contributing to the accident was a high density altitude and the pilot's failure to plan/adequately compensate for high density altitude conditions.
- [NTSB ERA16LA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA301.md): Means Rober C Rotorway Exec · Iron Station, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2016 · N48KM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the ground while hovering, which resulted in separation of the forward section of the right skid tube with counterweight attached, a sudden center of gravity (CG) shift outside the normal operating…
- [NTSB CEN16LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA326.md): Thrush S2R T660 · Ruthton, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 2016 · N40499 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid the tower guy-wire during an agricultural spraying operation.
- [NTSB CEN16LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA312.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Hickory Ridge, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2016 · N634LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission line while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA16CA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA399.md): Air Tractor AT 301 · Bird Island, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2016 · N7311X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's diverted attention inside the cockpit and failure to maintain the airplane's altitude while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN16CA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16CA277.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A · Topeka, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 21, 2016 · N7997 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural flight.
- [NTSB GAA16CA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA384.md): Boeing A75 · St. James, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 17, 2016 · N4558N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control while performing an aerobatic maneuver resulting in an inadvertent spin and collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA358.md): Cessna 172 · Bountiful, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 1, 2016 · N52071 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon without sufficient room to reverse course if necessary, which resulted in an emergency landing, loss of directional control, collision with terrain, and a post-crash fire.
- [NTSB WPR16FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA131.md): Cessna A185F · Coeur d'Alene, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 2016 · N4585F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA333.md): Cessna 172 · Anthony, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2016 · N46204 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a cable while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision with a cable and impact with water.
- [NTSB GAA16CA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA332.md): Thrush S2R · Lazbuddie, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 23, 2016 · N127PB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to avoid the metering loop pole during an aerial application.
- [NTSB GAA16CA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA339.md): Hughes 269B · Princeton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 21, 2016 · N941BD · Substantial damage
  > The uncertificated pilot's failure to maintain pitch and directional control, which resulted in an impact with terrain and a rollover.
- [NTSB CEN16LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA222.md): North American AT-6D · Henley, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 2016 · N150U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to conduct extended inverted flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel flow disruption. Contributing to the accident was his decision to conduct aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude, which precluded him from…
- [NTSB CEN16FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA215.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2016 · N789MR · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of alcohol and diphenhydramine, which led to his improper decision to fly after drinking alcohol and degraded…
- [NTSB WPR16FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA120.md): Rockwell S2R · De Smet, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 2016 · N4191X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from guy wires during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reduced ability to see the guy wires due to sun glare.
- [NTSB GAA16CA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA303.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Nicolaus, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 1, 2016 · N5091N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's insufficient clearance from a power line during aerial application operations, which resulted in a power line strike, a forced landing on unsuitable terrain, loss of directional control, and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA266.md): Cessna 177 · Pine Bluff, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 29, 2016 · N29601 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and her exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during a low-altitude turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA16FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA182.md): Greg Connell Pitts S-2SW · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 14, 2016 · N24CD · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper positioning during performance of an aerobatic maneuver and his subsequent failure to discontinue maneuvering when unable to reestablish proper positioning during a steep descent toward the ground.
- [NTSB CEN16LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA181.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · West, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 14, 2016 · N1546Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid cellular tower guy wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA16CA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA213.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Troutdale, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 4, 2016 · N227SH · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to monitor outside the helicopter during hover flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain and rollover.
- [NTSB GAA16CA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA173.md): Beech F35 · Long Island, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 30, 2016 · N4212B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines and substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.
- [NTSB GAA16CA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA165.md): Bell 206B · Hanford, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 26, 2016 · N52Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to release the collective while flying at 10 feet above ground level, resulting in the rapid helicopter descent and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA16LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA139.md): Hall, Wendall W Harmon Rocket II · Cheraw, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 2016 · N729PS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
- [NTSB WPR16FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA087.md): North American AT 6A · Astoria, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 2016 · N7055D · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of aircraft control during a low-altitude ash dispersal maneuver. Contributing to the accident was his degraded performance due to his medical conditions.
- [NTSB CEN16FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA087.md): Piper PA 22-108 · Garden City, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 2016 · N4751Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during a low altitude flight.
- [NTSB WPR16FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA040.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350 · Superior, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 2015 · N74317 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of helicopter control in mountainous terrain as the result of operating the helicopter outside the performance envelope of its hydraulic system and encountering the servo transparency phenomenon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…
- [NTSB GAA16CA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA080.md): Aviat A1 · Broadus, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 13, 2015 · N29712 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires while flying at a low altitude resulting in a wire strike, a loss of airplane control, and the consequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC15LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15LA073.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Fort Glenn, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2015 · N7162R · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the tail rotor gearbox from the tailboom attachment point due to overstress loads imposed by a tail rotor blade imbalance as the result of impact with an undetermined object during low-level flight operations.
- [NTSB GAA15CA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA266.md): Schweizer G 164B · Paxton, NE · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2015 · N3628Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from a power line during low altitude flight operations, which resulted in an impact with the power line, and subsequent impact with the ground.
- [NTSB ERA15LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA358.md): Bellanca 7KCAB · Manteo, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 2015 · N86705 · Substantial damage
  > The inadvertent lodging of the banner-tow cable between the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer after the pilot threw the grapple hook out the window, which resulted in the loss of pitch control and the airplane’s subsequent impact with water.
- [NTSB WPR15LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA257.md): Hughes 369HS · Manra Island, Kiribati · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 2015 · N9068F · Destroyed
  > A The loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined asbecause the helicopter sank in the oceanwater and was not recovered.
- [NTSB WPR15LA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA255.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Jerome, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2015 · N4BM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while conducting a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver.
- [NTSB ERA15FA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA335.md): Cooper Michael C RV 8A · Advance, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2015 · N393MC · Destroyed
  > The pilots' failure to maintain airplane control during a low-altitude maneuver.
- [NTSB GAA15CA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA255.md): Aviat A-1C-200 · Irwin, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 27, 2015 · N63BW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during low level flight, which resulted in the airplane striking a wire, impacting water, and nosing over.
- [NTSB CEN15LA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA384.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · Pine Bluff, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2015 · N3026R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ANC15FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15FA066.md): Cessna 180 · Kasilof, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 23, 2015 · N3043E · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on postaccident examination and testing.
- [NTSB CEN15FA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA378.md): Cessna 172 · Martinville, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2015 · N8265B · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
- [NTSB CEN15LA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA367.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Wiville, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2015 · N3070R · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a utility pole while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in damage to the right aileron and a subsequent uncontrolled right roll at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN15LA403](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA403.md): Cessna 182 · Big Piney, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2015 · XBYUH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while operating over high mountainous terrain, which resulted in an emergency landing after the airplane's encounter with a downdraft.
- [NTSB CEN15CA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA348.md): Robinson R44 · Kansasville, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 7, 2015 · N20KD · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inability to see and avoid power lines that were low to the ground and a green color that blended with the background crops.
- [NTSB CEN15LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA341.md): Hughes 269B · Atkinson, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2015 · N9427F · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to intentionally fly the helicopter at a low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a power line.
- [NTSB GAA15CA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA204.md): Airbus AS350-B2 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 29, 2015 · N6095U · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's misperception of the helicopter's altitude in relation to the runway surface during a low altitude maneuver, resulting in ground impact.
- [NTSB ANC15FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15FA050.md): Cessna U206G · Trapper Creek, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2015 · N734VB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while intentionally maneuvering close to the ground.
- [NTSB GAA15CA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA232.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Prairie Lea, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2015 · N804DF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees.
- [NTSB CEN15CA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA293.md): Cessna A188B · Crawfordsville, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 5, 2015 · N625EH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the powerline during an aerial application operations.
- [NTSB WPR15FA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA204.md): Hughes 269C · Asotin, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 2015 · N9490F · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines while maneuvering in a canyon.
- [NTSB GAA15CA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA153.md): Grumman American Avn. AA 5A · Mackay, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 1, 2015 · N9887U · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's disorientation in mountainous terrain and course deviation into a canyon, which resulted in the airplane's inability to out climb terrain and a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR15FA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA195.md): Short Brothers S312 Tucano T MK1 · Maricopa, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 2015 · N206PZ · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during low-level airwork, which resulted in uncontrolled collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from the combined effects of butalbital and codeine.
- [NTSB ERA15WA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15WA246.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Patrocínio Municipality,Minas Gerais, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 5, 2015 · PR-ACH · Substantial damage
  > On June 5, 2015, about 1506 universal coordinated time, Piper PA-25-235, Brazilian registration PR-ACH, was substantially damaged by collision with terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in Patrocinio Municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Brazilian…
- [NTSB ERA15WA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15WA235.md): Cessna A188 · Puerto Gaitan, Colombia · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 4, 2015 · HK-1364 · Substantial damage
  > On June 4, 2015, about 1715 coordinated universal time, a Cessna A188, Colombian registration HK-1364, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines and then terrain during an aerial application flight near Puerto Gaitan, Colombia. The commercial…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?page=10

## 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=9

---
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.