# NTSB investigations, WA: 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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26FA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA354.md): Cessna 172B · Royal City, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 24, 2026 · N44P · Substantial damage
  > On September 23, 2026, about 1711 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N44P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Royal City, Washington. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [NTSB WPR25LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA290.md): Eurocopter EC135 · Whittier, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Sep 24, 2025 · N955AL · Substantial damage
  > On September 23, 2025, at 2303 Pacific daylight time, a Eurocopter EC-135 T2+, N955AL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Whittier, Washington. The pilot and three medical crew members received minor injuries. The helicopter…
- [NTSB WPR24FA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA184.md): Beech A45 · Deer Harbor, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 7, 2024 · N268AF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at low level, and his misjudged entry altitude for the maneuver, which resulted in impact with water.
- [NTSB WPR24LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA173.md): Sikorsky S-55QT · Benton City, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 3, 2024 · N2302F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low altitude operation.
- [NTSB WPR24LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA113.md): Kitfox S7 Super Sport · Asotin, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 16, 2024 · N295P · Substantial damage
  > Pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low altitude flying.
- [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 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 WPR22LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA245.md): Hiller UH-12E · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 6, 2022 · N130HA · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level operations in light rain conditions.
- [NTSB WPR21LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA332.md): Cessna 172P · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 29, 2021 · N51547 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s inadequate inflight navigation and the flight instructors delayed remedial action which resulted in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB WPR20LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA331.md): Bell 206 · Randle, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 9, 2020 · N91TA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while conducting an external load operation.
- [NTSB WPR20CA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA218.md): Rans S6 · Richland, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 12, 2020 · N644RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to arrest a descent rate or maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude near mountainous terrain that resulted in a hard landing.
- [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 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 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 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 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 WPR18FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA074.md): Hughes 369D · Pomeroy, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 2018 · N369TH · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control following the gunner's failure to ensure that the net maintained clearance from the tail rotor.
- [NTSB WPR18FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA016.md): Robinson R22 · Arlington, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 2017 · N8537J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [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 WPR15CA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA107.md): Piper PA28 - 180 · Garfield, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 15, 2015 · N7928W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR14CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA270.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Quincy, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2014 · N560LH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wind generator tower while drying cherries, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR12LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA259.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · East Wenatchee, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2012 · N282MC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain clearance from the power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR12LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA244.md): Hiller UH-12B · Pasco, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 2012 · N93467 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the helicopter's rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude over a fruit orchard.
- [NTSB WPR12CA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA229.md): Rockwell International S-2R · Royal City, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 24, 2012 · N8468V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from an object during an aerial application, which resulted in damage to the landing gear and led to the airplane ground looping during the subsequent landing.
- [NTSB WPR11LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA223.md): Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportcruiser · Arlington, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 14, 2011 · N282SC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control during the takeoff climb, which resulted in a stall at low altitude and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impaired performance from over-the-counter medications.
- [NTSB WPR11LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA181.md): Cessna A188 · Palouse, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2011 · N5851G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from obstacles during a low-level aerial application maneuver.
- [NTSB WPR10LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA069.md): Mahre Starduster SA300 · Zillah, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2009 · N480DM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a low-altitude maneuver.
- [NTSB WPR09CA403](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA403.md): Rockwell 690 · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 17, 2009 · N90AT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness, and thus clearance from objects, while operating at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR09CA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA331.md): Bell 47G-3B-2 · Ocean Shores, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 7, 2009 · N8169J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering due to the pilot's diverted attention.
- [NTSB WPR09LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA010.md): Bell 206B · Cougar, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2008 · N206CH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between his external load and trees while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were hilly terrain and trees.
- [NTSB SEA08LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA200.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Napavine, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 2008 · N9268D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to make a low-altitude pass, and his failure to maintain clearance from all structures while maneuvering.
- [NTSB SEA08CA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA113.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Waitsburg, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 27, 2008 · N1519U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the rising terrain.

## 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" = 'WA' 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=WA

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