NTSB investigations, MT
16 cases where the sequence of events included Low altitude operation/event.
Cases per year
| 2009 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'MT' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
AND 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'MT' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND 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 WPR26LA146Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Chimney Rock, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain while performing a low altitude circling takeoff maneuver, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.NTSB WPR26FA031Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Ekalaka, MTOn October 22, 2025, about 1830 mountain daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Co. R66, N67GA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ekalaka, Montana. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as…NTSB WPR25LA165Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportWeatherly 620B · Lewiston, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB WPR24FA150Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Thurlow, MTThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by his cell phone use while…NTSB WPR23LA001Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportScoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS · Perma, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerline.NTSB WPR19FA246Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 33 · St. Ignatius, MTThe pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude, which resulted in impact with power lines and terrain.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 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 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 WPR18LA076Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBuckeye Industries Dream Machine 582 · Chester, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines.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 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 WPR13LA069Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPowerchute Airwolf 912ULS · Dell, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude in downdraft conditions.NTSB WPR12CA025Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172K · Florence, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level flight along a river. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude.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.