# Final 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 1 of 15 · 745 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA286.md): Cessna T188C · Randolph, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 1, 2026 · N9998J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN26LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA289.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 Raven 1 · Scribner, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2026 · N26EH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low-level altitude during an agricultural operation.
- [NTSB CEN26LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA256.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Coralville, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2026 · N322TC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN26LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA252.md): Air Tractor AT802 · Whiting, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2026 · N808HB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an antenna while maneuvering during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN26LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA185.md): Bell 407 · Dallas, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 13, 2026 · N652AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness and clearance from the helipad surveillance camera during liftoff.
- [NTSB WPR26LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA180.md): Cessna 172 · Marysvale, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 10, 2026 · N6643A · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in mountainous terrain prior to encountering a downdraft.
- [NTSB CEN26LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA168.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Mount Blanco, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 17, 2026 · N445JS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper main rotor rpm during a low-level turn, which resulted in the main rotor rpm drooping, a loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery, and a subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR26LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA146.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Chimney Rock, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 4, 2026 · N5017G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain while performing a low altitude circling takeoff maneuver, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB WPR26LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA123.md): Brunner Donald G Kitfox · Rock Crossing, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 10, 2026 · N104DG · Substantial damage
  > An encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR26LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA104.md): Aerosport Ikarus C42E · Wendover, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 16, 2026 · N420MS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s mismanagement of engine power during a maximum performance, 180° climbing left turn at a low altitude that resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN26LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA101.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Sullivan, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 29, 2026 · N916VK · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-level operations.
- [NTSB CEN26LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA070.md): Glynn RS-3 · Crabapple, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 19, 2025 · N3012G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence cable guy-line during low-level maneuvering over a river.
- [NTSB CEN26LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA055.md): Just Highlander · Brazos, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 27, 2025 · N957DK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering along a river.
- [NTSB CEN26LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA036.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Gueydan, LA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 5, 2025 · N7315L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness and clearance from terrain while maneuvering to avoid birds.
- [NTSB CEN25LA396](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA396.md): Bell 206 · Archer City, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 27, 2025 · N565VA · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while herding livestock.
- [NTSB CEN25LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA336.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Argusville, ND · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 23, 2025 · N7239Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB ANC25LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA085.md): Dehavilland DHC-2 MK 1 · Soldotna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2025 · N232KT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB ANC25LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA083.md): Aviat A-1B · Chisana, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 2, 2025 · N900HY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN25LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA286.md): Weatherly 620B · Rushmore, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2025 · N2032J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during low-level maneuvering.
- [NTSB CEN25LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA285.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Walcott, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2025 · N802BF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the crops during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN25LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA283.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Hartsburg, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2025 · N2371V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff with a tailwind from a wet turf airstrip.
- [NTSB CEN25FA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA281.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Thibodaux, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 23, 2025 · N2611 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance to powerlines during an agricultural application pass.
- [NTSB CEN25LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA276.md): Air Tractor AT-402A · Centralia, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 22, 2025 · N1534D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering.
- [NTSB CEN25LA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA274.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Hastings, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 22, 2025 · N502KB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN25LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA266.md): Bell B206-B · Bloomington, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2025 · N975TR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to avoid power lines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN25LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA240.md): Cub Crafters CCK-1865 · La Garita, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 7, 2025 · N952SA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and aeronautical decision making.
- [NTSB CEN25LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA231.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Lockport, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 1, 2025 · N8834H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate planning for the high density altitude conditions which resulted in reduced airplane performance, climb capability, and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA25LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA240.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Hawesville, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2025 · N144WK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level agricultural spray operations.
- [NTSB CEN25LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA191.md): Air Tractor AT-401 · Hamlet, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 2, 2025 · N60057 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines during low altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR25LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA165.md): Weatherly 620B · Lewiston, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 30, 2025 · N90393 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN25LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA140.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Cash, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 28, 2025 · N41687 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an excavator during low-altitude aerial application operations.
- [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 ERA25LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA144.md): Schweizer 269C · Mogadore, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 14, 2025 · N262LH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude, at night, and over water, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with power lines.
- [NTSB ANC25LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA023.md): Cessna 172 · Cantwell, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 10, 2025 · N5375R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a low-altitude maneuver which resulted in inadvertent ground contact and a nose over.
- [NTSB WPR25FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA100.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 · Ririe, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 20, 2025 · N118LG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and decision to maneuver the helicopter at a low altitude, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines.
- [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 CEN25LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA075.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Batesville, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 12, 2025 · N8569V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while flying at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR25LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA056.md): Piper PA-12 · Marysvale, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 5, 2024 · N1706B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN25FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA019.md): Robinson R44 · Houston, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2024 · N881KE · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.
- [NTSB WPR24LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA315.md): Cessna 172P · Kooskia, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 26, 2024 · N54829 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to descend into a canyon that exceeded the performance capabilities of the airplane, which resulted in an impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA368.md): Bell 206 · Lexington, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 25, 2024 · N92PH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper clearance from powerlines.
- [NTSB ERA24LA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA393.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Ravenel, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2024 · N153LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain, which resulted in the right skid contacting the ground and a subsequent rollover.
- [NTSB CEN24FA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA338.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Camden, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 5, 2024 · N602BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power transformer that was mounted to a power pole during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ANC24LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA083.md): Piper PA22 · Aleknagik, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2024 · N4NW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at 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 WPR24FA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA255.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Izee, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 26, 2024 · N805DG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering through an area of low visibility due to wildfire smoke and haze.
- [NTSB CEN24LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA285.md): Cessna A188B · Sumner, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 24, 2024 · N9576G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during the spray pass.
- [NTSB CEN24LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA276.md): Bell 206 · Cornland, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2024 · N26UK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot was unable to see a wire due to the setting sun and the helicopter subsequently struck the wire.
- [NTSB CEN24LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA275.md): Bell 206B · Cuba City, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2024 · N67110 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural application pass.
- [NTSB ERA24LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA314.md): Bell OH-58A · Hegins, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2024 · N176SA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate pre-flight and in-flight planning, which resulted in the helicopter striking a wire hazard during an aerial application flight.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?status=final&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."completionStatus" = 'Completed'
  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?status=final

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