# NTSB investigations, 2020: 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 CEN21LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA084.md): Robinson R44 · Colorado City, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 10, 2020 · N7085Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control and exceedance of performance and/or structural limitations during low-altitude operations, which resulted in an inflight breakup.. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.
- [NTSB CEN21LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA077.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Marietta, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 5, 2020 · N371MP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a transmission wire during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN21LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA062.md): Cessna 120 · Johnson City, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 17, 2020 · N2376N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane at too low an altitude resulting in the airplane impacting terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA058.md): Air Creation Tanarg · Pahrump, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 15, 2020 · N912U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR21LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA056.md): Cessna 172 · Howe, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 14, 2020 · N8278B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain after an encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA047.md): Ercoupe 415 · Ardmore, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 7, 2020 · N331BW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff with 3 persons in a 2-place airplane and over maximum gross weight, and his failure to apply carburetor heat when the airplane’s engine experienced carburetor ice and a partial loss of power.
- [NTSB CEN21LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA021.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Washington, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 18, 2020 · N31136 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a hover and improper recovery action after the helicopter contacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover sequence and an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA005.md): Air Tractor AT402 · Egypt, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2020 · N4540F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree limb during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR20LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA315.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Emmett, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2020 · N836MM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s descent below surrounding terrain and his delayed decision to initiate a climb which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were terrain and lighting conditions that affected the pilot’s ability to accurately assess terrain…
- [NTSB ERA20LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA330.md): Piper PA25 · Floral City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2020 · N6106Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a tree while flying towards the rising sun during an aerial application flight, which resulted in a collision with the tree and a subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB WPR20WA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA329.md): Robinson R44 · Rooibok-Kraal, South Africa · Accident · No injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Sep 19, 2020 · ZS-RKZ · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR20LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA331.md): Bell 206 · Randle, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 9, 2020 · N91TA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while conducting an external load operation.
- [NTSB ERA20LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA306.md): Thrush S2R-H80 · Hawkinsville, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2020 · N30529 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an antenna tower while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight while flying directly toward the sun.
- [NTSB CEN20CA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA347.md): Grumman G164 · Scottsbluff, NE · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2020 · N48416 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of visual reference during agricultural low-level flight, resulting in collision with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN20LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA330.md): Robinson R44 · Logan, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2020 · N89LA · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the lower actuator bearing support brackets, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, a loss of belt tension on the main rotor drive system, and a subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR20CA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA253.md): Robert D Carr Jr Cavalon · Upper Lake, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2020 · N635BC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s distraction and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude maneuver, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20WA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA248.md): Robinson R44 · Steam Plains, Australia · Accident · Serious injuries · Foreign investigation · Jul 31, 2020 · VH-HNF · Substantial damage
  > The government of Australia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Robinson R44 helicopter that occurred on July 31, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Australia's investigation under the…
- [NTSB CEN20CA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA312.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · Tiro, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2020 · N602FH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while attempting to fly under power lines during an aerial application pass.
- [NTSB CEN20CA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA311.md): Air Tractor AT 401 · Burlington, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2020 · N9190Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from guy-wires during low-altitude agricultural operations.
- [NTSB CEN20CA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA308.md): Maule MXT7 · Hillsboro, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 26, 2020 · N772TW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while attempting to avoid a deer during landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN20CA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA310.md): Champion 7GCBC · Angola, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 25, 2020 · N86614 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a low-level pass, resulting in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack that caused an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…
- [NTSB CEN20CA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA300.md): Robinson R44 · Dickeyville, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 20, 2020 · N570WH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain clearance from wires during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR20CA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA218.md): Rans S6 · Richland, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 12, 2020 · N644RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to arrest a descent rate or maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude near mountainous terrain that resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN20LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA272.md): Golden Circle Air T-Bird · Grosse Ile, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 11, 2020 · N50JH · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude in gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of flight experience.
- [NTSB WPR20CA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA197.md): Robinson R44 · Pioche, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2020 · N7530B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly at low level over mountainous terrain and his inability to recover when the helicopter encountered a downdraft that resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA220.md): Robinson R66 · Pikeville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 18, 2020 · N4QW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a small diameter wire during low altitude agricultural spraying operations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s insufficient property survey.
- [NTSB ERA20LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA217.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Atmore, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 16, 2020 · N879JA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, spin, and loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN20CA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA230.md): Robinson R22 · El Campo, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 16, 2020 · N797SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the rice vegetation, which resulted in the helicopter's impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA179.md): Ayres S2R · Lenore, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 12, 2020 · N40226 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight, which resulted in a wire strike.
- [NTSB CEN20CA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA229.md): Cessna T188 · McCurtain, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 12, 2020 · N2085J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during a low altitude aerial application maneuver and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodymanic stall at too low of an altiutde to recover.
- [NTSB WPR20LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA170.md): Kitfox Kitfox · Lander, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 7, 2020 · N595KF · Substantial damage
  > The inexperienced pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during a turn at high density altitude, which resulted in an accelerated stall and impact with water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s poor judgment to continue the…
- [NTSB WPR20CA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA171.md): Enstrom 480 · Murphy, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 4, 2020 · N130JS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR20LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA163.md): Bell 206 · Fairfield, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 2, 2020 · N65PJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while conducting external load operations, which resulted in the main rotor contacting a wire and a subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA160.md): Champion 7ECA · Vine Grove, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 28, 2020 · N9557S · Substantial damage
  > Aircraft control was not maintained during initial climb with gusting wind that resulted in a collision with power lines and the terrain.
- [NTSB ANC20CA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA049.md): Cessna 185 · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 6, 2020 · N185SZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to attempt to " water ski" atop a remote river in a wheel-equipped airplane, resulting in a loss of control and a nose over.
- [NTSB WPR20CA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA125.md): Cessna 172 · Yakima, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2020 · N75765 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude during a go-around, which resulted in impact with hilly terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA143.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Pecan Gap, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 8, 2020 · N9185D · Destroyed
  > The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from tree, which resulted in a collision with a tree and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20CA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA144.md): Robinson R22 · Seymour, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 6, 2020 · N7007X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN20CA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA139.md): Rans S-12 Airaile · Hillrose, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 4, 2020 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot's diverted attention while looking at a fire during low-altitude flying, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN20LA442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA442.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Sterling City, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 12, 2020 · N4386W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ERA20CA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA131.md): American Legand AL18 · Social Circle, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 10, 2020 · N23TN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in the collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20CA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA128.md): Stolp Starduster Acroduster II SA750 · Senoia, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 7, 2020 · N529FM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid trees while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN20FA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA110.md): Cessna 172 · Lincoln, IL · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 3, 2020 · N157SF · Destroyed
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during an aerial survey, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover.
- [NTSB WPR20CA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA092.md): Bell OH 58A · Colexico, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2020 · N288NS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to arrest the descent rate while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA085.md): Robinson R44 · Marfa, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 14, 2020 · N441KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during low-altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB ANC20CA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA018.md): Cessna 172 · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 6, 2020 · N817PS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR20WA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA076.md): Lockheed C130 · Cooma, Australia · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jan 23, 2020 · N134CG · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA20LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA094.md): Airborne America AX9-140 · Homestead, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 19, 2020 · N970TC · Minor damage
  > The pilot's decision to operate the balloon at low altitude near obstructions, structures, and powerlines, which resulted in the balloon contacting powerlines. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's inadequate oversight of…

## 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") = 2020
  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=2020

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