NTSB investigations
794 cases where the sequence of events included Low altitude operation/event.
Cases, newest first
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.\"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."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 ANC15FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Bethel, AKThe 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 GAA15CA102Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 - B11 · Caledonia, MIA loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in a collision with trees.NTSB GAA15CA096Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAero Vodochody L39 · Grand Junction, COThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and subsequent failure to remain clear of power line wires while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR15FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Juntura, ORThe pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines while intentionally maneuvering at low altitude for the aerial observation flight.NTSB ERA15WA213Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Bajo Hondo, ArgentinaOn 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 WPR15CA128Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEnstrom F28 - C · Shelby, MTThe 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 CEN15FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRose Thunder Mustang · Helotes, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance from terrain after initiating an aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude.NTSB WPR15CA107Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 - 180 · Garfield, WAThe pilot did not maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB CEN15CA153Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Asherton, TXThe pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from the trees.NTSB CEN15LA077Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNew Piper PA 32R-301T · Springfield, MOThe pilot’s decision to descend below the recommended altitude during approach for landing in night visual meteorological conditions, and his failure to see and avoid a lighted tower, which resulted in collision with the tower and a subsequent total loss of…NTSB CEN15CA095Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Mount Pleasant, TXThe pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane at low altitude resulting in the airplane impacting power lines.NTSB ERA15CA055Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter MD500 · Decatur, ALAn undetermined pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an electrical transmission tower resulting in substantial damage to a main rotor blade. Postaccident investigation could not determine which of two pilots was flying the helicopter at the time the…NTSB CEN15LA026Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStephenson Stol CH 701 · Mount Vernon, INThe pilot’s impairment due to the ingestion of alcohol and sedating medications, which led to her improper decision to conduct low-level flight, affected her ability to safety operate the airplane, and resulted in her failure to maintain clearance from power…NTSB CEN15CA025Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Harper, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering.NTSB WPR15GA005Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMarsh S 2F3AT · El Portal, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB ERA15CA010Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportToerner Bob SEA REY · Tampa, FLThe pilot's failure to retract the landing gear after takeoff, which resulted in the landing gear contacting the water while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN15LA004Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCelier Xenon R · Loma, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static wire and his decision to maneuver the gyroplane at low altitude.NTSB CEN14LA487Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Macedonia, IAThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a static line.NTSB ANC14FA068Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportRyan Navion A · Coldfoot, AKThe pilot’s improper inflight planning and improper decision to deliberately operate the airplane at low altitude in close proximity to obstructions and rising terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s improper preflight planning and the Federal…NTSB CEN14CA444Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369HS · Saint Peter, MNThe pilot did not see the wires resulting in the subsequent wire collision.NTSB WPR14CA347Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEipper Formance Mxii · Salt Lake City, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN14CA426Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Lancaster, WIThe pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN14LA423Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 5 · Mansfield, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude flight in gusting wind conditions following his use of a sedating medication.NTSB CEN14FA414Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-201 · Steamboat Springs, COThe pilot’s inability to maintain a climb while attempting to cross over a mountain pass in high-density altitude conditions that degraded the airplane’s climb performance. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt the flight in…NTSB CEN14CA429Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502B · Minden, NEThe pilot's inadequate survey of the aerial application field which resulted in a collision with a windmill.NTSB CEN14CA392Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Caputa, SDThe student pilot's improper takeoff procedure and the flight instructor's failure to take control of the airplane and abort the takeoff.NTSB ERA14LA347Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportColt Balloons 160A · Clinton, MAThe pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight planning and improper landing site selection and approach path, which resulted in the balloon contacting powerlines during landing. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's inadequate…NTSB WPR14CA296Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G 2A · Merced, CAThe pilot's failure to adequately monitor the environment to maintain clearance from the power pole guide wire during low level maneuvering.NTSB CEN14CA360Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Englewood, COThe pilot did not maintain control of the helicopter during the takeoff resulting in low rotor rpm and impact of the fuel trailer during the running landing.NTSB WPR14CA270Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Quincy, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wind generator tower while drying cherries, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent hard landing.NTSB CEN14CA314Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 402B · Newport, ARThe pilot misjudged his altitude which resulted in the airplane contacting a wire during the low altitude aerial application maneuver.NTSB WPR14FA239Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1A · El Mirage, CAThe pilot's loss of airplane control while intentionally maneuvering close to the ground, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack in a steep bank and entering an accelerated stall.NTSB WPR14LA230Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Laytonville, CAThe pilot’s impairment due to alcohol ingestion, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-altitude flyby.NTSB WPR14CA216Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · San Manuel, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance altitude from phone wires while performing low-level operations.NTSB CEN14WA254Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT802 · Seron, SpainOn May 26, 2014, about 1400 UTC, an Air Tractor AT-802 airplane, EC-LCA, (s/n 802-0326), impacted terrain during a firefighting operation near Seron, Spain. A post-impact fire occurred and the airplane was subsequently destroyed. The pilot sustained fatal…NTSB WPR14FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Santa Paula, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while flying at a low altitude.NTSB CEN14FA230Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 25-235 · Northglenn, COThe pilot's decision to operate the banner-tow flight below the minimum safe altitude specified by federal regulation, which likely limited his ability to recover from a potential loss of airspeed due to a gusting wind condition. Also causal was the pilot’s…NTSB WPR14FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing E75 · Fairfield, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low-level aerobatic maneuver due to his impairment by an over-the-counter antihistamine. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries were the pilot's lack of fire protective clothing,…NTSB ERA14CA229Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGingras Michel Aventura II · Punta Gorda, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while operating at a low altitude.NTSB CEN14LA222Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Cleburne, TXThe student pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from terrain while transitioning to a hover taxi and the instructor pilot's inadequate remedial action to prevent the impending tail rotor contact.NTSB CEN14LA211Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502B · Garfield, KSThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and subsequent failure to remain clear of power lines while maneuvering low to the ground.NTSB CEN14CA164Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28R-201 · Ruidoso, NMThe pilot's failure to adjust the engine's fuel-air mixture and decision to takeoff in high density attitude conditions which degraded the airplane's performance.NTSB CEN14CA160Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28-235 · De Beque, COThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN14FA122Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L 3 · Silt, COThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning for a low-level aerial surveillance flight of power transmission lines, which led to his being unaware of the crossing power line while flying toward the sun and his subsequent failure to maintain sufficient clearance…NTSB CEN14LA103Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 430 · West Delta 109The pilot’s failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from a handrail on a crane davit on an oil platform during landing.NTSB WPR14CA066Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Monticello, UTThe passenger's accidental discharge of the net gun which resulted in the net going through a main rotor blade.NTSB WPR14CA048Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMaule MX 7-235 · San Ynez, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering at low altitude in hilly terrain.NTSB WPR14CA052Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Milo, ORThe pilot's failure to see and avoid wires while maneuvering at a low-altitude, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the wires.NTSB ERA14LA011Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing B75N1 · Tampa, FLThe parachutist’s low altitude departure from the right wing before the planned altitude and his delayed opening of his parachute canopy, which resulted in impact with a tree and then the ground before the parachute fully opened.NTSB WPR14LA005Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Paulden, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear a radio tower while maneuvering at low altitude and his decision to make a high-speed, low pass over the gun club.