# NTSB investigations, 2016: 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 ANC17FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA009.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 7, 2016 · N88452 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to operate the airplane at an altitude too low to allow for recovery from an intentional aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of knowledge of the stall performance characteristics of the airplane modified…
- [NTSB CEN17FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA016.md): Makela RV-4 · Oregonia, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2016 · N2626C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude, which resulted in the collision with a zipline.
- [NTSB ERA17CA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA012.md): Bellanca 8KCAB · Knoxville, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 11, 2016 · N2504Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's intentional low-altitude operation, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from unmarked utility wires.
- [NTSB GAA16CA488](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA488.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cedar City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 14, 2016 · N46HF · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action while providing hover instruction in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in dynamic roll-over.
- [NTSB CEN16FA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA370.md): Piper PA 11 · Arcanum, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 2016 · N4910M · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's reckless flying attitude and use of multiple psychoactive drugs, which likely impaired his ability to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA16CA512](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA512.md): Air Tractor AT802 · Wilson, AR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 6, 2016 · N519EP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately survey the area of operation and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB CEN16WA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16WA358.md): Bell 206B · Flatlands, Canada · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 4, 2016 · C-GVJT · Substantial damage
  > On September 4, 2016, about 1600 Atlantic Daylight Time, a Bell model 206B helicopter, Canadian registration C-GVJT, serial number 3492, collided with power lines during cruise flight before crashing into the Restigouche River near Flatlands, New Brunswick,…
- [NTSB WPR16FA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA169.md): Boeing A75N1(PT17) · Madras, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2016 · N999PP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low-level aerobatic maneuver. Contributing to the accident was a high density altitude and the pilot's failure to plan/adequately compensate for high density altitude conditions.
- [NTSB ERA16LA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA301.md): Means Rober C Rotorway Exec · Iron Station, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2016 · N48KM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the ground while hovering, which resulted in separation of the forward section of the right skid tube with counterweight attached, a sudden center of gravity (CG) shift outside the normal operating…
- [NTSB CEN16LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA326.md): Thrush S2R T660 · Ruthton, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 2016 · N40499 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid the tower guy-wire during an agricultural spraying operation.
- [NTSB CEN16LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA312.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Hickory Ridge, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2016 · N634LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission line while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA16CA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA399.md): Air Tractor AT 301 · Bird Island, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2016 · N7311X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's diverted attention inside the cockpit and failure to maintain the airplane's altitude while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN16CA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16CA277.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A · Topeka, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 21, 2016 · N7997 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural flight.
- [NTSB GAA16CA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA384.md): Boeing A75 · St. James, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 17, 2016 · N4558N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control while performing an aerobatic maneuver resulting in an inadvertent spin and collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA358.md): Cessna 172 · Bountiful, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 1, 2016 · N52071 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon without sufficient room to reverse course if necessary, which resulted in an emergency landing, loss of directional control, collision with terrain, and a post-crash fire.
- [NTSB WPR16FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA131.md): Cessna A185F · Coeur d'Alene, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 2016 · N4585F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA333.md): Cessna 172 · Anthony, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2016 · N46204 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a cable while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision with a cable and impact with water.
- [NTSB GAA16CA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA332.md): Thrush S2R · Lazbuddie, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 23, 2016 · N127PB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to avoid the metering loop pole during an aerial application.
- [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 CEN16LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA222.md): North American AT-6D · Henley, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 2016 · N150U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to conduct extended inverted flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel flow disruption. Contributing to the accident was his decision to conduct aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude, which precluded him from…
- [NTSB CEN16FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA215.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2016 · N789MR · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of alcohol and diphenhydramine, which led to his improper decision to fly after drinking alcohol and degraded…
- [NTSB WPR16FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA120.md): Rockwell S2R · De Smet, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 2016 · N4191X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from guy wires during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reduced ability to see the guy wires due to sun glare.
- [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 GAA16CA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA266.md): Cessna 177 · Pine Bluff, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 29, 2016 · N29601 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and her exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during a low-altitude turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA16FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA182.md): Greg Connell Pitts S-2SW · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 14, 2016 · N24CD · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper positioning during performance of an aerobatic maneuver and his subsequent failure to discontinue maneuvering when unable to reestablish proper positioning during a steep descent toward the ground.
- [NTSB CEN16LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA181.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · West, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 14, 2016 · N1546Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid cellular tower guy wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA16CA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA213.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Troutdale, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 4, 2016 · N227SH · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to monitor outside the helicopter during hover flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain and rollover.
- [NTSB GAA16CA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA173.md): Beech F35 · Long Island, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 30, 2016 · N4212B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines and substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.
- [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 ERA16LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA139.md): Hall, Wendall W Harmon Rocket II · Cheraw, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 2016 · N729PS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
- [NTSB WPR16FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA087.md): North American AT 6A · Astoria, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 2016 · N7055D · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of aircraft control during a low-altitude ash dispersal maneuver. Contributing to the accident was his degraded performance due to his medical conditions.
- [NTSB CEN16FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA087.md): Piper PA 22-108 · Garden City, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 2016 · N4751Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during a low altitude flight.

## 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") = 2016
  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=2016

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