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 WPR16FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing A75N1(PT17) · Madras, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low-level aerobatic maneuver. Contributing to the accident was a high density altitude and the pilot's failure to plan/adequately compensate for high density altitude conditions.NTSB ERA16LA301Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMeans Rober C Rotorway Exec · Iron Station, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the ground while hovering, which resulted in separation of the forward section of the right skid tube with counterweight attached, a sudden center of gravity (CG) shift outside the normal operating…NTSB CEN16LA326Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportThrush S2R T660 · Ruthton, MNThe pilot's failure to see and avoid the tower guy-wire during an agricultural spraying operation.NTSB CEN16LA312Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Hickory Ridge, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission line while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB GAA16CA399Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 301 · Bird Island, MNThe pilot's diverted attention inside the cockpit and failure to maintain the airplane's altitude while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in an impact with terrain.NTSB CEN16CA277Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A · Topeka, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural flight.NTSB GAA16CA384Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing A75 · St. James, MOThe pilot's loss of control while performing an aerobatic maneuver resulting in an inadvertent spin and collision with trees and terrain.NTSB GAA16CA358Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Bountiful, UTThe pilot's decision to fly into a canyon without sufficient room to reverse course if necessary, which resulted in an emergency landing, loss of directional control, collision with terrain, and a post-crash fire.NTSB WPR16FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Coeur d'Alene, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain.NTSB GAA16CA333Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Anthony, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a cable while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision with a cable and impact with water.NTSB GAA16CA332Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportThrush S2R · Lazbuddie, TXThe pilot's failure to avoid the metering loop pole during an aerial application.NTSB GAA16CA339Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 269B · Princeton, CAThe uncertificated pilot's failure to maintain pitch and directional control, which resulted in an impact with terrain and a rollover.NTSB CEN16LA222Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American AT-6D · Henley, MOThe pilot’s decision to conduct extended inverted flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel flow disruption. Contributing to the accident was his decision to conduct aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude, which precluded him from…NTSB CEN16FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of alcohol and diphenhydramine, which led to his improper decision to fly after drinking alcohol and degraded…NTSB WPR16FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell S2R · De Smet, IDThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from guy wires during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reduced ability to see the guy wires due to sun glare.NTSB GAA16CA303Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502 · Nicolaus, CAThe pilot's insufficient clearance from a power line during aerial application operations, which resulted in a power line strike, a forced landing on unsuitable terrain, loss of directional control, and collision with terrain.NTSB GAA16CA266Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 177 · Pine Bluff, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and her exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during a low-altitude turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA16FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGreg Connell Pitts S-2SW · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain proper positioning during performance of an aerobatic maneuver and his subsequent failure to discontinue maneuvering when unable to reestablish proper positioning during a steep descent toward the ground.NTSB CEN16LA181Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502 · West, TXThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid cellular tower guy wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate at low altitude.NTSB GAA16CA213Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Troutdale, ORThe flight instructor's failure to monitor outside the helicopter during hover flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain and rollover.NTSB GAA16CA173Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech F35 · Long Island, NCThe pilot's decision to maneuver at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines and substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.NTSB GAA16CA165Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Hanford, CAThe pilot's decision to release the collective while flying at 10 feet above ground level, resulting in the rapid helicopter descent and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA16LA139Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHall, Wendall W Harmon Rocket II · Cheraw, SCThe pilot's decision to fly at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines.NTSB WPR16FA087Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American AT 6A · Astoria, ORThe pilot's loss of aircraft control during a low-altitude ash dispersal maneuver. Contributing to the accident was his degraded performance due to his medical conditions.NTSB CEN16FA087Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 22-108 · Garden City, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during a low altitude flight.NTSB WPR16FA040Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350 · Superior, AZThe pilot's loss of helicopter control in mountainous terrain as the result of operating the helicopter outside the performance envelope of its hydraulic system and encountering the servo transparency phenomenon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…NTSB GAA16CA080Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAviat A1 · Broadus, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires while flying at a low altitude resulting in a wire strike, a loss of airplane control, and the consequent impact with terrain.NTSB ANC15LA073Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Fort Glenn, AKThe separation of the tail rotor gearbox from the tailboom attachment point due to overstress loads imposed by a tail rotor blade imbalance as the result of impact with an undetermined object during low-level flight operations.NTSB GAA15CA266Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer G 164B · Paxton, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from a power line during low altitude flight operations, which resulted in an impact with the power line, and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB ERA15LA358Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7KCAB · Manteo, NCThe inadvertent lodging of the banner-tow cable between the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer after the pilot threw the grapple hook out the window, which resulted in the loss of pitch control and the airplane’s subsequent impact with water.NTSB WPR15LA257Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Manra Island, KiribatiA The loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined asbecause the helicopter sank in the oceanwater and was not recovered.NTSB WPR15LA255Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Jerome, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while conducting a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver.NTSB ERA15FA335Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCooper Michael C RV 8A · Advance, NCThe pilots' failure to maintain airplane control during a low-altitude maneuver.NTSB GAA15CA255Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAviat A-1C-200 · Irwin, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during low level flight, which resulted in the airplane striking a wire, impacting water, and nosing over.NTSB CEN15LA384Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 602 · Pine Bluff, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an aerial application flight.NTSB ANC15FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Kasilof, AKThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on postaccident examination and testing.NTSB CEN15FA378Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Martinville, ILThe non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB CEN15LA367Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Wiville, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a utility pole while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in damage to the right aileron and a subsequent uncontrolled right roll at a low altitude.NTSB CEN15LA403Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Big Piney, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while operating over high mountainous terrain, which resulted in an emergency landing after the airplane's encounter with a downdraft.NTSB CEN15CA348Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Kansasville, WIThe pilot's inability to see and avoid power lines that were low to the ground and a green color that blended with the background crops.NTSB CEN15LA341Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Atkinson, ILThe pilot's improper decision to intentionally fly the helicopter at a low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a power line.NTSB GAA15CA204Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAirbus AS350-B2 · Tucson, AZThe flight instructor's misperception of the helicopter's altitude in relation to the runway surface during a low altitude maneuver, resulting in ground impact.NTSB ANC15FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Trapper Creek, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while intentionally maneuvering close to the ground.NTSB GAA15CA232Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Prairie Lea, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees.NTSB CEN15CA293Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A188B · Crawfordsville, INThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the powerline during an aerial application operations.NTSB WPR15FA204Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Asotin, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines while maneuvering in a canyon.NTSB GAA15CA153Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA 5A · Mackay, IDThe student pilot's disorientation in mountainous terrain and course deviation into a canyon, which resulted in the airplane's inability to out climb terrain and a forced landing.NTSB WPR15FA195Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportShort Brothers S312 Tucano T MK1 · Maricopa, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during low-level airwork, which resulted in uncontrolled collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from the combined effects of butalbital and codeine.NTSB ERA15WA246Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-25-235 · Patrocínio Municipality,Minas Gerais, BrazilOn June 5, 2015, about 1506 universal coordinated time, Piper PA-25-235, Brazilian registration PR-ACH, was substantially damaged by collision with terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in Patrocinio Municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Brazilian…NTSB ERA15WA235Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna A188 · Puerto Gaitan, ColombiaOn June 4, 2015, about 1715 coordinated universal time, a Cessna A188, Colombian registration HK-1364, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines and then terrain during an aerial application flight near Puerto Gaitan, Colombia. The commercial…