# NTSB investigations, 2015: 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 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…
- [NTSB ANC15FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15FA032.md): Cessna 207 · Bethel, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 30, 2015 · N1653U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude, which resulted in collision with the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from carbon monoxide exposure in flight. The source of the carbon monoxide could not be determined because the…
- [NTSB GAA15CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA102.md): Bell 206 - B11 · Caledonia, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 29, 2015 · N206ED · Substantial damage
  > A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB GAA15CA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA096.md): Aero Vodochody L39 · Grand Junction, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 28, 2015 · N6175C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and subsequent failure to remain clear of power line wires while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR15FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA161.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Juntura, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 14, 2015 · N5042P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines while intentionally maneuvering at low altitude for the aerial observation flight.
- [NTSB ERA15WA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15WA213.md): Cessna 182 · Bajo Hondo, Argentina · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 13, 2015 · LV-CXM · Destroyed
  > On May 13, 2015, about 1835 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Cessna 182, Argentine registration LV-CXM, impacted power lines while maneuvering during an aerial survey flight near Bajo Hondo, Argentina. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured, and the…
- [NTSB WPR15CA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA128.md): Enstrom F28 - C · Shelby, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 14, 2015 · N5688N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM during a low altitude operation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN15FA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA154.md): Rose Thunder Mustang · Helotes, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 25, 2015 · N7TR · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance from terrain after initiating an aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude.
- [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 CEN15CA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA153.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Asherton, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 15, 2015 · N7181S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from the trees.

## 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") = 2015
  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=2015

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