# NTSB investigations, CA: 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 2 · 83 cases

## Latest cases

- [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 WPR25LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA112.md): Enstrom 280FX · Waterford, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 15, 2025 · N402TA · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while operating at a low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR25LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA078.md): Bell 206A · Lemoore, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 14, 2025 · N6255N · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR24LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA282.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Durham, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 13, 2024 · N6633K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines, which resulted in a wire strike.
- [NTSB WPR24LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA207.md): Piper J3C-65 · Scheelite, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 19, 2024 · N3627N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent entry to a box canyon where the airplane could not outclimb the rising terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA092.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Calexico, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 6, 2023 · N422DX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines 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 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 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 WPR22LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA140.md): Bell OH-58A · Merced, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 1, 2022 · N9287U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid wires while conducting an aerial application flight, which resulted in a wire strike and ground impact.
- [NTSB WPR21LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA130.md): Bell 206B · Laton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 13, 2021 · N161BH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR20CA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA253.md): Robert D Carr Jr Cavalon · Upper Lake, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2020 · N635BC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s distraction and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude maneuver, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain.
- [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 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 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 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.
- [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 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 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 GAA18CA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA054.md): Quicksilver MXL Sport · Point Mugu, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 19, 2017 · N7712 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power wires.
- [NTSB WPR17FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA120.md): Piper PA 28-180 · Santa Rosa Valley, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 2017 · N4871L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while intentionally maneuvering in a steep bank at low altitude, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB GAA17CA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA151.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Holtville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 14, 2017 · N4534G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s initiation of a left turn at a low altitude with low airspeed and a tailwind while operating near maximum gross weight, which resulted in the helicopter losing altitude, touching down on a dirt surface, and a subsequent dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB GAA17CA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA118.md): Cessna 140 · Markleeville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 17, 2017 · N5623C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a low pass and the subsequent impact with a snow berm, which resulted in a nosed-over.
- [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 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 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 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 WPR15GA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15GA005.md): Marsh S 2F3AT · El Portal, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Oct 7, 2014 · N449DF · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR14CA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA296.md): Bell 47G 2A · Merced, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 18, 2014 · N47DT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately monitor the environment to maintain clearance from the power pole guide wire during low level maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR14FA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA239.md): American AA-1A · El Mirage, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2014 · N9454L · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control while intentionally maneuvering close to the ground, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack in a steep bank and entering an accelerated stall.
- [NTSB WPR14LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA230.md): Cessna 172M · Laytonville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 2014 · N1186U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s impairment due to alcohol ingestion, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-altitude flyby.
- [NTSB WPR14FA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA203.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Santa Paula, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 23, 2014 · N4081H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while flying at a low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR14FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA182.md): Boeing E75 · Fairfield, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 4, 2014 · N68828 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low-level aerobatic maneuver due to his impairment by an over-the-counter antihistamine. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries were the pilot's lack of fire protective clothing,…
- [NTSB WPR14CA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA048.md): Maule MX 7-235 · San Ynez, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 11, 2013 · N88CR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering at low altitude in hilly terrain.
- [NTSB WPR13LA429](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA429.md): Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 · Santa Maria, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 2013 · N38113 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during a low-altitude maneuver.
- [NTSB WPR13LA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA420.md): Miller RV6 · Williams, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2013 · N67GM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to fly at a low altitude, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from power lines.
- [NTSB WPR13LA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA385.md): Robert Golding Tbirdii · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 2013 · N31683 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the two pilots to adequately planflight, particularly regarding their roles and responsibilities, which resulted in their failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear power lines during a low pass.
- [NTSB WPR13LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA358.md): Bell 206B · Chualar, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2013 · N90146 · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's failure to properly tighten the bolts securing the main driveshaft to the transmission, which resulted in fatigue failure of the bolts and disconnection of the driveshaft during low-altitude flight.
- [NTSB WPR13LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA233.md): Schweizer G-164D · Butte City, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 16, 2013 · N83110 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after an encounter with wake turbulence while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue due to extended hours of wakefulness and high workload.
- [NTSB WPR13GA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13GA044.md): Bell OH-58 · Altadena, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Nov 17, 2012 · N911FA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The landing pilot's failure to maintain clearance with from obstacles a parked prior to landinghelicopter and the other pilot's failure to park the helicopter inside of a marked parking pad. Contributing to the accident was the landing pilot's obscured…
- [NTSB WPR12LA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA371.md): Arrow Falcon Exporters OH58 · Escalon, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2012 · N503DR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-altitude agricultural application, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with the ground.
- [NTSB WPR12LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA093.md): Cessna 172N · Fresno, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2012 · N7582D · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to performance-impairing drugs.
- [NTSB WPR12FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA062.md): Crosley Vans RV-8 · Armistead, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2011 · N948RC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing low altitude aerobatic maneuvers.
- [NTSB WPR11CA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA339.md): Bell 47G-5 · Watsonville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 20, 2011 · N1375X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a pole while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR11FA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA334.md): Piper PA-12 · Joshua Tree, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 2011 · N7510H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to conduct low altitude flight at a high density altitude and into a box canyon, which resulted in the airplane colliding with rising terrain when its climb capability was exceeded.
- [NTSB WPR11FA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA304.md): Cessna 180D · Santa Paula, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2011 · N6451X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a telephone line while flying at a low altitude in dusk lighting conditions.
- [NTSB WPR11CA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA198.md): Grumman G-164 · Princeton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 4, 2011 · N716Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?state=CA&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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  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?state=CA

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