# NTSB investigations, 2019: 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 2 · 53 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR20WA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA037.md): Robinson R44 · Eschowe, South Africa · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 5, 2019 · ZS-RRS · Substantial damage
  > The government of South Africa has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ROBINSON R44 helicopter that occurred on December 5, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of South Africa's investigation under…
- [NTSB GAA20CA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA063.md): Sikorsky S 58JT · Lebanon, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 10, 2019 · N827MW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from a tractor trailer during landing.
- [NTSB GAA20CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA060.md): Robinson R22 · Smoketown, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 4, 2019 · N8560A · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper cyclic input while hovering and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB GAA20CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA066.md): American AA 5 · Gilbert, SC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 2, 2019 · N24AU · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper approach path, which resulted in impact with a tree.
- [NTSB ERA20FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA027.md): Grumman OV-1 · Stuart, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 1, 2019 · N10VD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper recovery from a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in descent into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA019.md): Mooney M20A · Summit Point, WV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 24, 2019 · N8354E · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to conduct a practice stall maneuver at low altitude, which resulted in inadequate altitude remaining in which to recover before impacting terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA009.md): Vans RV-8 · White Plains, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 20, 2019 · N249BW · Destroyed
  > Impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB GAA20CA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA033.md): Weatherly 620 · Fabens, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 17, 2019 · N9033T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power wires while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA20FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA012.md): Bell 206 · New Salem, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 17, 2019 · N167AG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in impact with a powerline.
- [NTSB GAA20CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA020.md): Ayres S2R · Willacoochee, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 11, 2019 · N3090C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [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 CEN19LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA316.md): Infinity Powered Parachutes IPP2 · Eustace, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 12, 2019 · N6035L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a power line. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to fly at an altitude too low to avoid obstacles.
- [NTSB ERA19LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA263.md): Weatherly 620 · Russellville, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2019 · N90104 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid powerlines during low-altitude agricultural spraying flight operations.
- [NTSB WPR19FA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA246.md): Beech 33 · St. Ignatius, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 29, 2019 · N9529Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude, which resulted in impact with power lines and terrain.
- [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 GAA19CA502](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA502.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Onida, SD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 16, 2019 · N500KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power wires during agricultural application operations.
- [NTSB ERA19LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA246.md): Cessna 172 · Jay, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 13, 2019 · N84287 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to fly over a river at a very low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN19FA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA259.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Sumner, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2019 · N6113C · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s impairment by medical conditions and/or medications, which resulted in the airplane’s impact with power lines and terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA480](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA480.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Waco, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2019 · N730JD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA19CA481](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA481.md): Robinson R66 · Vandalia, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 2, 2019 · N1767L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA19CA473](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA473.md): Robinson R44 · Fessenden, ND · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2019 · N3066T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA19CA457](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA457.md): Bell 206 · Dukedom, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2019 · N454MS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB CEN19WA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19WA294.md): Air Tractor AT400 · Namiquipa, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 27, 2019 · XB-PNL · Substantial damage
  > The government of Mexico has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a AIR TRACTOR AT400 airplane that occurred on July 27, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Mexico's investigation under the…
- [NTSB GAA19CA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA454.md): Cessna T188 · Deshler, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N3367J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during low-altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB GAA19CA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA453.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Stanton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N15400 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA19CA452](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA452.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Welsh, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N1509E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a telephone pole during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB WPR19FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA188.md): Robinson R44 · Hayward, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 15, 2019 · N144TG · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ loss of control during a low altitude maneuver for undetermined reasons, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA19LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA227.md): Piper PA22 · Hastings, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2019 · N7833D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to secure the engine primer control, which resulted in an overly rich fuel/air mixture and degraded engine performance. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner.
- [NTSB CEN19LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA214.md): Piper PA18 · Bay City, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 6, 2019 · N796AB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a banner drop and pickup, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR19FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA183.md): Schempp Hirth Arcus · Ephraim, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 1, 2019 · N215MM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver in close proximity to terrain while attempting to remain in an area of lift, which resulted in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB ERA19TA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA204.md): Robinson R44 · Parsons, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jun 29, 2019 · N883TY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver the helicopter at low altitude over a river, which resulted in a wire strike and subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA193.md): Robinson R22 · Garwood, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 29, 2019 · N7143Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilots' failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low level operations.
- [NTSB GAA19CA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA352.md): Air Tractor AT402 · Liberal, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2019 · N5044Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid a windmill tower while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR19FA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA173.md): Piper PA-11 · Copperopolis, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 16, 2019 · N209H · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from consuming alcohol before the flight.
- [NTSB WPR19FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA163.md): Piper PA28 · Antioch, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 10, 2019 · N7943C · Destroyed
  > A loss of control while conducting low-altitude, high-speed maneuvers.
- [NTSB GAA19CA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA354.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · La Ward, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2019 · N2602M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an aerial application flight in sun glare conditions.
- [NTSB WPR19FA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA159.md): Titan Titan II · Summerville, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 5, 2019 · N4362V · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA303.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Rockford, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 31, 2019 · N60518 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA19CA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA278.md): Bell 206 · Pittsfield, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 23, 2019 · N158H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain during agricultural application operations.
- [NTSB GAA19CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA270.md): Grumman G164 · Lane City, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 15, 2019 · N4865 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB GAA19CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA262.md): Cub Crafters Carbon CUB EX · Grand Junction, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 11, 2019 · N56XC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering through a canyon.
- [NTSB GAA19CA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA238.md): Aerospatiale AS350 · Sula, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 30, 2019 · N350DL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from ground equipment, which resulted in a tail rotor blade impact.
- [NTSB CEN19TA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19TA131.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · Quanah, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Apr 28, 2019 · N602AM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line during a low altitude aerial application maneuver.
- [NTSB GAA19CA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA216.md): Bell 47G · Donna, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 17, 2019 · N96671 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB CEN19FA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA117.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Harlingen, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 9, 2019 · N7314D · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines during low altitude flight operations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to a sedating medication.
- [NTSB ERA19FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA112.md): Piper PA25 · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 1, 2019 · N145AB · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance while maneuvering during a banner tow flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a 19-story building in a heavily congested area. Contributing to the accident were the easterly wind…
- [NTSB ERA19TA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA110.md): Sikorsky HH-60L · Tullahoma, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Feb 28, 2019 · N260MW · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s improper decision to continue the VFR flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees during a subsequent precautionary landing attempt.
- [NTSB CEN19LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA087.md): Warner Aerocraft Space Walker II · Devine, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 27, 2019 · N1778 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR19FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA080.md): Cessna 172 · Desert Hot Springs, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Feb 6, 2019 · N20556 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate and/or improper preparation for the flight in which he selected an altitude too low to assure terrain clearance and resulted in an impact with terrain in turbulent downdraft conditions.
- [NTSB WPR19LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA071.md): Bell 206 · Ashland, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 23, 2019 · N8227J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather, which resulted in an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and spatial disorientation leading to a loss of control.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?year=2019&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 year(c."eventDate") = 2019
  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=2019

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