Fatal NTSB investigations
277 cases where the sequence of events included Low altitude operation/event.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 22 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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 c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
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"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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 c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' 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
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB ERA27FA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldInvestigation openBell 407 · Myakka City, FLNTSB WPR26FA354Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172B · Royal City, WAOn September 23, 2026, about 1711 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N44P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Royal City, Washington. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB ERA26FA178Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportMooney M20J · Ironton, OHOn April 17, 2026, about 1414 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N205MK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ironton, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91…NTSB WPR26FA121Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportMD Helicopters 369FF · Mojave, CAOn March 9, 2026, about 1517 Pacific daylight time, an MD Helicopters 369FF, N530XX, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Mojave, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB WPR26FA091Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportN126c CCX-1865 · Montour, IDOn January 27, 2026, about 1100 mountain standard time, an amateur-built, experimental CCX-1865 Carbon Cub, N126C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Montour, Idaho. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The…NTSB ERA26FA039Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportJabiru USA Sport J230-SP · New Bavaria, OHOn November 14, 2025, at 1708 eastern standard time, a Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft LLC J230-SP, N755J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near New Bavaria, Ohio. The sport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was…NTSB GAA26WA044Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAir Tractor AT602 · Campo Novos dos Parecis, BrazilNTSB WPR26FA031Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Ekalaka, MTOn October 22, 2025, about 1830 mountain daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Co. R66, N67GA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ekalaka, Montana. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as…NTSB CEN25FA281Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Thibodaux, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance to powerlines during an agricultural application pass.NTSB ERA25LA144Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Mogadore, OHThe pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude, at night, and over water, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with power lines.NTSB WPR25FA100Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 · Ririe, IDThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and decision to maneuver the helicopter at a low altitude, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines.NTSB GAA25WA099Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignVans RV7 · Nizhny Novgorodr, RussiaNTSB CEN25LA075Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Batesville, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while flying at low altitude.NTSB CEN25FA019Accident · 4 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Houston, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.NTSB CEN24FA338Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Camden, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power transformer that was mounted to a power pole during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN24FA287Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportBell 206 · Nashua, IAOn July 29, 2024 about 1330 central standard time, a Bell 206-B3 Helicopter, N94XA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Nashua, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…NTSB WPR24FA255Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Izee, ORThe pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering through an area of low visibility due to wildfire smoke and haze.NTSB WPR24FA213Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A · Chamberino, NMAn aerodynamic stall and loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR24FA184Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A45 · Deer Harbor, WAThe pilot’s decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at low level, and his misjudged entry altitude for the maneuver, which resulted in impact with water.NTSB WPR24FA150Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Thurlow, MTThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by his cell phone use while…NTSB ERA24LA114Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172M · Brookwood, ALThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN24FA101Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLockwood AIR CAM · Ranchitos Las Lomas, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a meteorological evaluation tower.NTSB CEN24FA049Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMD Helicopters 600 · Sterling City, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line pole’s static arm during forecasted gusting wind conditions, un-forecasted light turbulence, and un-forecasted low-level wind shear conditions, resulting in main rotor blade contact with the static…NTSB CEN24FA021Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Vidalia, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s cell phone use and the position of the sun, which reduced the pilot’s ability to perceive the location of the power…NTSB CEN24LA006Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGyro Technic GT-VX2 · Saint Peter, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering through a river valley.NTSB CEN23FA412Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · New Rockford, NDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from overhead power lines during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly under the power lines with a small area of clearance available for the airplane.NTSB CEN23FA409Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportThrush S2R-T660 · Ardoch, NDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a guy wire during an aerial application flight.NTSB ERA23LA334Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportScoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS · Hickory, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision and loss of control.NTSB ERA23LA332Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 47G-5 · Mifflinville, PAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN23FA353Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802 · Gilman City, MOThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a steep turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB CEN23LA342Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Denison, IAThe pilot’s inflight distraction, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid wires.NTSB ERA23FA317Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206-L4 · Springfield, OHThe pilot’s failure to remain clear of powerlines during an agricultural spraying operation.NTSB CEN23LA324Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402B · Clara City, MNThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a transmission line during an aerial application flight.NTSB WPR23FA223Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCompagnie Daher TB 30 Epsilon · Apache Junction, AZThe pilot’s controlled flight into the mountainous terrain due to diminished depth perception as a result of the shadowing effect from the sun’s position. Contributing to the accident was the decision by all three pilots to fly low altitude around the…NTSB CEN23FA155Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJunior Ace · Mammoth Springs, ARThe pilot’s intentional flight into terrain as an act of suicide.NTSB ANC23FA031Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 407 · Nuevo, CAThe pilot’s decision to maneuver in a steep bank at a low altitude, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance with terrain.NTSB WPR23FA122Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRockwell International S-2R · Willows, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while flying under multiple conductors during a low-altitude aerial application flight, which resulted in propeller contact with a powerline and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB ANC23FA004Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Chickaloon, AKThe pilot's decision to fly at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a cable.NTSB WPR23LA001Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportScoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS · Perma, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerline.NTSB GAA22WA290Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignMeriwether Jon Arion Lightning · Kenora, CanadaNTSB WPR22FA312Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJackson Dennis RV-8 · Scio, ORThe pilot’s decision to perform a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver and his improper execution of the maneuver, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB CEN22FA347Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Ute, IAThe pilot’s inflight collision with a power line during aerial application.NTSB CEN22LA335Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAyres S2R-T34 · Parkin, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from tower guy wires while maneuvering.NTSB CEN22FA288Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Blackwell, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance during low-level aerial application, resulting in an in-flight collision with power lines.NTSB CEN22FA240Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHPH Spol Sro Glasflugel 304 MS · Rifle, COThe glider’s encounter with gusting tailwind and downdraft conditions that the pilot was unable to overcome.NTSB WPR22FA195Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMeyer Fred J Hornet · Lucerne Valley, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an impact with terrain.NTSB CEN22FA215Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman American Avn. G-164 · Whiskerville, ARThe pilot misjudged the approach during the emergency landing, likely due to the full chemical load, and impacted a ditch, resulting in substantial damage and postimpact fire. Contributing to the pilot’s injuries was the lack of a crash-resistant fuel system…NTSB CEN22FA053Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206 · Perry, OKA loss of lateral control during a hover that resulted in an impact with terrain. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the loss of lateral control could not be determined.NTSB WPR22FA043Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182Q · Carlsbad, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain separation from an FM tower guy wire while on an aerial survey flight.NTSB ERA22LA031Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV-12 · Folkston, GAThe pilot’s low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with a utility pole.