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 CEN09LA492Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStirling Starduster · Earlham, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ground during an aerobatic maneuver.NTSB ERA09CA432Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBingham Chuck Rotorway 1 · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while hovering in gusting wind conditions.NTSB CEN09CA479Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28-151 · Purcell, OKThe student pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines.NTSB WPR09CA358Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportWsk-Pzl Meilec PZL M18B · Rockland, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during an aerial application reversal turn.NTSB ERA09FA419Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 530 (369FF) · Camp Butler, IraqThe pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance during a low-level course reversal.NTSB WPR09CA339Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Marysville, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the power line wires.NTSB ERA09LA398Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBarber John A Glasair · Switzerland, FLA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's performance of aerobatic maneuvers at altitudes lower than those recommended by the kit manufacturer, resulting in insufficient terrain clearance to conduct a…NTSB WPR09FA334Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Mammoth Lakes, CAThe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision to attempt to fly at a low altitude in a confined area of mountainous terrain in a high density altitude weather condition, and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees.NTSB WPR09CA331Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G-3B-2 · Ocean Shores, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering due to the pilot's diverted attention.NTSB WPR09LA325Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L-29 · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing a low altitude maneuver.NTSB CEN09LA409Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Latimer, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while flying at a low altitude.NTSB ERA09LA344Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDehavilland DHC-6 Twin · Orange, VAThe pilot's improper decision to perform a low-level maneuver over a populated skydive landing area and his inadequate visual lookout.NTSB CEN09LA355Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander S2R · Cordova, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with terrain after clearing an obstacle during an agricultural application pass.NTSB WPR09FA284Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Morristown, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line.NTSB WPR09LA269Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStorch Aviation Australia PTY SS-MK4 · Boulder, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low altitude maneuvering.NTSB ERA09CA298Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportAyres S2R-G1 · Bald Eagle, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line.NTSB ERA09CA292Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Memphis, TNThe pilots' decision to fly at a low altitude and their inadequate visual lookout while maneuvering.NTSB ERA09CA294Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna R182 · Collins, MSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an antenna during a low-altitude aerial observation flight. Contributing to the accident was the sun glare.NTSB CEN09LA297Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S-2R · Monroe, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines during an aerial application run.NTSB WPR09CA224Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Cottonwood, AZThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from wires.NTSB WPR09LA226Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369FF · Santa Clarita, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude as a result of the helicopter's grappling hook temporarily becoming ensnared with an underwater obstruction.NTSB WPR09CA220Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH-58A · Arvin, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from wires during aerial application maneuvers.NTSB WPR09LA203Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportExtra EA-300 · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain for undetermined reasons while performing aerobatics.NTSB WPR09CA190Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAyres S2R-T34 · Cove, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from rising terrain while maneuvering.NTSB CEN09GA242Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 337 · Pittsville, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude.NTSB WPR09CA163Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Chowchilla, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.NTSB CEN09LA225Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Ville Platte, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines during an aerial application run.NTSB WPR09FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180F · Townsend, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB ERA09LA194Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Lee, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the overhead wire.NTSB CEN09CA194Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Harrold, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines during his turn to reverse course due to weather. Contributing to the accident was the reduced visibility at the time of the accident.NTSB WPR09LA124Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Salinas, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire while intentionally maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB ERA09CA177Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportHI-Max 1700R · Windham, NHThe non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from houses while flying an unregistered experimental, amateur-built airplane.NTSB CEN09LA189Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRemos G-3/600 · Hilda, TXThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR09CA105Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bountiful, UTThe pilot's improper decision to fly at low altitude while maneuvering in mountainous terrain in a canyon and inadvertently exceeding the climb capability of the helicopter. Contributing to the accident were a high density altitude, mountainous terrain, and a…NTSB ERA09LA139Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes OH-6A · Monroe, NCThe pilot-rated-passenger’s failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard during low-level maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command’s inadequate monitoring of the flight.NTSB WPR09CA088Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportQuicksilver Sport 2S R582 · Ventura, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water.NTSB ERA09CA129Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBuckeye Dream Machine · Grant, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wire.NTSB WPR09FA061Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Warner Springs, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from terrain during a low altitude maneuver.NTSB ERA09CA090Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH-58C · Osceola County, FLThe pilot's misjudgment of altitude during low-altitude spraying operations, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water.NTSB ERA09CA042Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSundt Daniel N Rotorway Exec 162-F · West Chester, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance above terrain while performing a pedal turn.NTSB WPR09CA030Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Friant, CAThe student pilot's failure to execute a go-around in timely manner, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and delayed remedial actions.NTSB CEN09CA037Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna R172E · Palo Pinto, TXThe pilot's intentional low-level flight and failure to maintain a visual lookout.NTSB ERA09FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Selmer, TNThe pilot's failure to avoid terrain during night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN09LA023Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-285 · Silverton, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire.NTSB WPR09LA010Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Cougar, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance between his external load and trees while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were hilly terrain and trees.NTSB CEN09LA009Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSproul 72K-TET · Rio Rancho, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines and the failure of either pilot to take any corrective action to avoid the collision.NTSB WPR09FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportIniziative Industriali Italian SKY Arrow 600 · Malibu, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a low-altitude maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to perform a maneuver at a low altitude that was insufficient to allow him to recover from the loss of control. Contributing…NTSB DFW08LA238Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Leadville, COThe flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB DFW08FA237Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320D · Collinsville, OKThe crews' failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall close to the ground.NTSB LAX08CA297Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · American Fork, UTThe pilot's selection of an inadequate altitude to enter a box canyon, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.