# NTSB investigations, 2014: 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 CEN15LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA077.md): New Piper PA 32R-301T · Springfield, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 2014 · N3127R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to descend below the recommended altitude during approach for landing in night visual meteorological conditions, and his failure to see and avoid a lighted tower, which resulted in collision with the tower and a subsequent total loss of…
- [NTSB CEN15CA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA095.md): Cessna 152 · Mount Pleasant, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 8, 2014 · N787PB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane at low altitude resulting in the airplane impacting power lines.
- [NTSB ERA15CA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA055.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter MD500 · Decatur, AL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 18, 2014 · N8371F · Substantial damage
  > An undetermined pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an electrical transmission tower resulting in substantial damage to a main rotor blade. Postaccident investigation could not determine which of two pilots was flying the helicopter at the time the…
- [NTSB CEN15LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA026.md): Stephenson Stol CH 701 · Mount Vernon, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 2014 · N34WS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s impairment due to the ingestion of alcohol and sedating medications, which led to her improper decision to conduct low-level flight, affected her ability to safety operate the airplane, and resulted in her failure to maintain clearance from power…
- [NTSB CEN15CA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA025.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Harper, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 24, 2014 · N7192K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering.
- [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 ERA15CA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA010.md): Toerner Bob SEA REY · Tampa, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 6, 2014 · N345BT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear after takeoff, which resulted in the landing gear contacting the water while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN15LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA004.md): Celier Xenon R · Loma, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 2014 · N719MB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static wire and his decision to maneuver the gyroplane at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN14LA487](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA487.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Macedonia, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2014 · N699TQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a static line.
- [NTSB ANC14FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14FA068.md): Ryan Navion A · Coldfoot, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 2014 · N4827K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper inflight planning and improper decision to deliberately operate the airplane at low altitude in close proximity to obstructions and rising terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s improper preflight planning and the Federal…
- [NTSB CEN14CA444](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA444.md): Hughes 369HS · Saint Peter, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2014 · N369GN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not see the wires resulting in the subsequent wire collision.
- [NTSB WPR14CA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA347.md): Eipper Formance Mxii · Salt Lake City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 16, 2014 · N1624Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN14CA426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA426.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Lancaster, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 13, 2014 · N8343P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN14LA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA423.md): Bell 47G 5 · Mansfield, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2014 · N7089J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude flight in gusting wind conditions following his use of a sedating medication.
- [NTSB CEN14FA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA414.md): Piper PA 28R-201 · Steamboat Springs, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 2014 · N3509M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain a climb while attempting to cross over a mountain pass in high-density altitude conditions that degraded the airplane’s climb performance. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt the flight in…
- [NTSB CEN14CA429](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA429.md): Air Tractor AT 502B · Minden, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 29, 2014 · N502NR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate survey of the aerial application field which resulted in a collision with a windmill.
- [NTSB CEN14CA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA392.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Caputa, SD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 26, 2014 · N5530K · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper takeoff procedure and the flight instructor's failure to take control of the airplane and abort the takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA14LA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA347.md): Colt Balloons 160A · Clinton, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2014 · N976TC · Minor damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight planning and improper landing site selection and approach path, which resulted in the balloon contacting powerlines during landing. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's inadequate…
- [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 CEN14CA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA360.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Englewood, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 11, 2014 · N69MP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain control of the helicopter during the takeoff resulting in low rotor rpm and impact of the fuel trailer during the running landing.
- [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 CEN14CA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA314.md): Air Tractor AT 402B · Newport, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 21, 2014 · N428JJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot misjudged his altitude which resulted in the airplane contacting a wire during the low altitude aerial application maneuver.
- [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 WPR14CA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA216.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · San Manuel, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 31, 2014 · N7122E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance altitude from phone wires while performing low-level operations.
- [NTSB CEN14WA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14WA254.md): Air Tractor AT802 · Seron, Spain · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 26, 2014 · EC-LCA · Destroyed
  > On May 26, 2014, about 1400 UTC, an Air Tractor AT-802 airplane, EC-LCA, (s/n 802-0326), impacted terrain during a firefighting operation near Seron, Spain. A post-impact fire occurred and the airplane was subsequently destroyed. The pilot sustained fatal…
- [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 CEN14FA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA230.md): Piper PA 25-235 · Northglenn, CO · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · May 5, 2014 · N4519Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to operate the banner-tow flight below the minimum safe altitude specified by federal regulation, which likely limited his ability to recover from a potential loss of airspeed due to a gusting wind condition. Also causal was the pilot’s…
- [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 ERA14CA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA229.md): Gingras Michel Aventura II · Punta Gorda, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 27, 2014 · N543MG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while operating at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN14LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA222.md): Hughes 269A · Cleburne, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 25, 2014 · N90636 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from terrain while transitioning to a hover taxi and the instructor pilot's inadequate remedial action to prevent the impending tail rotor contact.
- [NTSB CEN14LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA211.md): Air Tractor AT 502B · Garfield, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 22, 2014 · N51990 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and subsequent failure to remain clear of power lines while maneuvering low to the ground.
- [NTSB CEN14CA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA164.md): Piper PA 28R-201 · Ruidoso, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 19, 2014 · N3398M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adjust the engine's fuel-air mixture and decision to takeoff in high density attitude conditions which degraded the airplane's performance.
- [NTSB CEN14CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA160.md): Piper PA 28-235 · De Beque, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 14, 2014 · N9172W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN14FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA122.md): Bell 206L 3 · Silt, CO · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 2014 · N207DS · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning for a low-level aerial surveillance flight of power transmission lines, which led to his being unaware of the crossing power line while flying toward the sun and his subsequent failure to maintain sufficient clearance…
- [NTSB CEN14LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA103.md): Bell 430 · West Delta 109 · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 2014 · N430CT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from a handrail on a crane davit on an oil platform during landing.

## 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 year(c."eventDate") = 2014
  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?year=2014

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