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 CEN21LA313Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT802 · Newell, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from crops during an agricultural flight.NTSB CEN21LA318Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Nappanee, INThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the tower during low-level agricultural operations.NTSB ERA21LA270Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Waxhaw, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB ERA21LA269Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGarlick Helicopters OH-58A+ · Alpine, ALThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level aerial application flight, resulting in main rotor blade impact with a fiber-optic cable, a loss of control, and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA283Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Edwardsburg, MIThe pilot’s failure to identify rising terrain and to maintain terrain clearance from trees during an aerial application pass that resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain.NTSB ERA21LA262Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Swan Lake, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the power transmission tower structure during powerline maintenance work, which resulted in the helicopter's main rotor striking the lifeline support bracket for the tower catwalk and the subsequent loss…NTSB CEN21LA225Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH58A · Ulysses, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during the aerial application flight, which resulted in collision with the power line and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB GAA21WA103Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignPrecision Helicopters UH-1H · Rayón, MexicoNTSB ERA21FA200Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Wingate, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight, resulting in tail rotor impact with the power line, a loss of control, and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB ERA21LA193Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportTextron 208B · Laceyville, PAThe pilot’s improper decision to conduct a low altitude flight and his failure to see and avoid powerlines. Contributing was the operator’s lack of safety guidance or a safety policy for low-altitude operations.NTSB CEN21LA179Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportDestiny Powered Parachutes 2000 · Saint Paul, NEThe uncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the powered parachute during low altitude flight in gusting wind conditions.NTSB CEN21LA165Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Lake City, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during power line maintenance.NTSB WPR21LA130Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Laton, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-altitude maneuvering.NTSB CEN21LA148Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402B · Moorhead, MSThe pilot did not maintain clearance from a powerline during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN21LA155Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Dunn, TXThe loss of rotor RPM for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB CEN21LA139Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Kaufman, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low-level maneuvering.NTSB CEN21LA123Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper J3F-50 · Weidman, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a low approach over a snow-covered runway. Contributing to the accident was the loss of depth perception due to the bright sunlight and snow.NTSB CEN21LA119Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Silt, COThe pilot’s failure to avoid powerlines while flying at low altitude.NTSB CEN21LA084Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Colorado City, TXThe 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 CEN21LA077Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Marietta, TXThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a transmission wire during takeoff.NTSB CEN21LA062Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 120 · Johnson City, KSThe pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane at too low an altitude resulting in the airplane impacting terrain.NTSB WPR21LA058Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Creation Tanarg · Pahrump, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain control while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR21LA056Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Howe, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain after an encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA047Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportErcoupe 415 · Ardmore, OKThe 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 CEN21LA021Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Washington, WIThe 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 CEN21LA005Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT402 · Egypt, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree limb during a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB WPR20LA315Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Emmett, IDThe 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 ERA20LA330Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA25 · Floral City, FLThe 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 WPR20WA329Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Rooibok-Kraal, South AfricaNTSB WPR20LA331Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Randle, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while conducting an external load operation.NTSB ERA20LA306Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportThrush S2R-H80 · Hawkinsville, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an antenna tower while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight while flying directly toward the sun.NTSB CEN20CA347Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportGrumman G164 · Scottsbluff, NEThe pilot’s loss of visual reference during agricultural low-level flight, resulting in collision with power lines.NTSB CEN20LA330Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Logan, IAThe 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 WPR20CA253Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobert D Carr Jr Cavalon · Upper Lake, CAThe 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 WPR20WA248Accident · Serious injuriesForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Steam Plains, AustraliaThe 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 CEN20CA312Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 602 · Tiro, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance while attempting to fly under power lines during an aerial application pass.NTSB CEN20CA311Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 401 · Burlington, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from guy-wires during low-altitude agricultural operations.NTSB CEN20CA308Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportMaule MXT7 · Hillsboro, ILThe 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 CEN20CA310Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportChampion 7GCBC · Angola, INThe 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 CEN20CA300Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Dickeyville, WIThe pilot did not maintain clearance from wires during an aerial application flight.NTSB WPR20CA218Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRans S6 · Richland, WAThe 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 CEN20LA272Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGolden Circle Air T-Bird · Grosse Ile, MIThe 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 WPR20CA197Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Pioche, NVThe 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 ERA20LA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R66 · Pikeville, NCThe 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 ERA20LA217Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Atmore, ALThe 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 CEN20CA230Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R22 · El Campo, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the rice vegetation, which resulted in the helicopter's impact with terrain.NTSB WPR20CA179Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAyres S2R · Lenore, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight, which resulted in a wire strike.NTSB CEN20CA229Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna T188 · McCurtain, OKThe 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 WPR20LA170Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportKitfox Kitfox · Lander, WYThe 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 WPR20CA171Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportEnstrom 480 · Murphy, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.