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 WPR19FA163Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Antioch, CAA loss of control while conducting low-altitude, high-speed maneuvers.NTSB GAA19CA354Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 602 · La Ward, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an aerial application flight in sun glare conditions.NTSB WPR19FA159Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportTitan Titan II · Summerville, ORThe noncertificated pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and impact with terrain.NTSB GAA19CA303Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Rockford, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.NTSB GAA19CA278Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Pittsfield, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain during agricultural application operations.NTSB GAA19CA270Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman G164 · Lane City, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude maneuvering.NTSB GAA19CA262Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCub Crafters Carbon CUB EX · Grand Junction, COThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering through a canyon.NTSB GAA19CA238Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAerospatiale AS350 · Sula, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from ground equipment, which resulted in a tail rotor blade impact.NTSB CEN19TA131Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportAir Tractor AT 602 · Quanah, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line during a low altitude aerial application maneuver.NTSB GAA19CA216Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G · Donna, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude during an agricultural application flight.NTSB CEN19FA117Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502 · Harlingen, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines during low altitude flight operations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to a sedating medication.NTSB ERA19FA112Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA25 · Fort Lauderdale, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance while maneuvering during a banner tow flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a 19-story building in a heavily congested area. Contributing to the accident were the easterly wind…NTSB ERA19TA110Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3Final reportSikorsky HH-60L · Tullahoma, TNThe flight crew’s improper decision to continue the VFR flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees during a subsequent precautionary landing attempt.NTSB CEN19LA087Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportWarner Aerocraft Space Walker II · Devine, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR19FA080Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Desert Hot Springs, CAThe pilot's inadequate and/or improper preparation for the flight in which he selected an altitude too low to assure terrain clearance and resulted in an impact with terrain in turbulent downdraft conditions.NTSB WPR19LA071Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Ashland, ORThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather, which resulted in an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and spatial disorientation leading to a loss of control.NTSB WPR19TA061Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3Final reportBell 206 · Yuma, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power transmission wires while flying at low altitude in nighttime conditions.NTSB GAA19CA110Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Grace, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.NTSB WPR19LA055Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180 · Townsend, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low level, which resulted in a wire strike and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR19WA040Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPilatus BN2A-20 · Hobart, AustraliaOn December 7, 2018, at 0929 Universal Time Coordinated, a Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd, BN2A-20, VH-OBL was destroyed when it collided with terrain near the Hobart Aerodrome, Hobart, Australia. The pilot, who was the sole occupant was fatally injured. The…NTSB GAA19CA078Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502 · Americus, GAThe pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line during an agricultural application flight.NTSB ERA19FA047Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBell OH 58C · Verbena, ALThe pilot's improper decision to conduct a low-level flight over a river, and his failure to see and avoid power lines, which resulted in the helicopter's impact with power lines and the water.NTSB CEN19FA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportHughes 369 · McDougal, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain the helicopter's clearance from the powerline structure while hovering in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the structure and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB GAA19CA039Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH 58A · Carson City, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude in hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to determine the airplane’s altitude due to sun glare.NTSB CEN19LA016Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRotorway 162 · Passaic, MOThe electrical short in the main rotor rpm indicating unit which provided an inaccurate indication to the student pilot and resulted in substantial damage during the precautionary autorotation.NTSB CEN19FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Placedo, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the antenna tower, a known obstruction, during the agricultural application flight. Contributing to the accident was glare from the sun which hindered the pilot's ability to see and avoid the antenna tower.NTSB GAA18CA563Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT802 · Napoleon, NDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line pole during an agricultural application flight.NTSB GAA18CA573Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH 12E · Frankfort, KSThe ground crewmember's improper grabbing of the hovering helicopter's skid during an external load hook-up, which resulted in the helicopter descending and the main rotors striking ground equipment.NTSB WPR18FA261Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGruber Beelzabub · Rochester, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB WPR18FA260Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobert L Coons RotorWay RW 1 · Billings, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a hangar while maneuvering to his hangar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in helicopters.NTSB GAA18CA533Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12 · Cut Bank, MTThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid power wires while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to determine the airplane’s altitude due to sun glare.NTSB CEN18LA363Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Crete, NEThe stuck turbocharger wastegate in the closed position for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. Also causal was the pilot's failure to reduce the throttle during takeoff when the manifold pressure and fuel flow exceeded…NTSB GAA18CA506Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369 · Ridgeway, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial observation flight.NTSB WPR18LA227Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Salmon, IDThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with downdraft conditions, which resulted in a loss of altitude, and the pilot’s subsequent decision to conduct a precautionary landing into a stand of trees.NTSB GAA18CA512Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Battle Mountain, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude and airspeed while flying in a canyon in gusting wind conditions.NTSB GAA18CA502Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportWSK PZL Mielec M-18A · Dansville, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from crops during an agricultural application flight.NTSB ERA18FA208Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 8GCBC · Foley, ALThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in a subsequent aerodynamic stall and spin at an altitude that was too low for recovery.NTSB CEN18LA303Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBuchanan Kitfox IV · Loma, COThe pilot's improper decision to conduct a low-altitude flight over a river and his inadequate monitoring of the environment, which resulted in a collision with a cableway.NTSB CEN18FA297Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Alexandria, MNThe pilot's intentional low-altitude flight, which resulted in an impact with power lines.NTSB GAA18CA453Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Elma, IAThe pilot's failure maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.NTSB CEN18FA263Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Wheatley, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB CEN18FA232Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502B · Enid, OKThe pilot's failure to see and avoid a known obstacle (communications tower) during agricultural spraying operations.NTSB GAA18CA352Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Orondo, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB GAA18CA378Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Heli 369 · Yabucoa, PRThe pilot's failure to maintain main rotor clearance from a fiber line while picking up a lineman.NTSB CEN18FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot's decision to fly over the river at a low altitude and his failure to maintain clearance with wires during low-level flight.NTSB CEN18WA234Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-25 · Cajeme, Sonora, MexicoOn June 7, 2018, a Mexican registered Piper PA-25, XB-YEI, impacted electrical cables and terrain near Cajeme, Sonora, Mexico. The pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Cajeme, Mexico, on a local aerial…NTSB CEN18FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369D · Luling, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the powerline structure while hovering, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the structure and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB GAA18CA309Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 402 · Nicolaus, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power transmission wire.NTSB CEN18LA183Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369A · Stoneburg, TXThe pilot's unsafe and aggressive operation of the helicopter at low altitude, which resulted in impact with trees.NTSB GAA18CA247Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Sonora, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at a low altitude.