NTSB investigations, WA
32 cases where the sequence of events included Low altitude operation/event.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 3 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 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\" = 'WA' 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" = 'WA' 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 WPR26FA354Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172B · Royal City, WAOn September 23, 2026, about 1711 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N44P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Royal City, Washington. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB WPR25LA290Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportEurocopter EC135 · Whittier, WAOn September 23, 2025, at 2303 Pacific daylight time, a Eurocopter EC-135 T2+, N955AL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Whittier, Washington. The pilot and three medical crew members received minor injuries. The helicopter…NTSB WPR24FA184Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A45 · Deer Harbor, WAThe pilot’s decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at low level, and his misjudged entry altitude for the maneuver, which resulted in impact with water.NTSB WPR24LA173Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSikorsky S-55QT · Benton City, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low altitude operation.NTSB WPR24LA113Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportKitfox S7 Super Sport · Asotin, WAPilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low altitude flying.NTSB WPR23LA105Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 269C · Yakima, WAThe pilot's failure to see and avoid a powerline while flying at low altitude over a river.NTSB WPR22LA339Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Cougar, WAThe helicopter’s encounter with downdrafts during a low-altitude hovering maneuver while dipping for water.NTSB WPR22LA245Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Wenatchee, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level operations in light rain conditions.NTSB WPR21LA332Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172P · Wenatchee, WAThe student pilot’s inadequate inflight navigation and the flight instructors delayed remedial action which resulted in a collision with trees.NTSB 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 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 WPR20CA125Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Yakima, WAThe pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude during a go-around, which resulted in impact with hilly terrain.NTSB GAA20CA018Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportFoxworthy Rick A Sonex · Langley, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in impact with a tree.NTSB GAA19CA509Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Cypress Island, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree while maneuvering at a low altitude.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 GAA18CA352Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Orondo, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR18FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Pomeroy, WAA loss of control following the gunner's failure to ensure that the net maintained clearance from the tail rotor.NTSB WPR18FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Arlington, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude.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 WPR15CA107Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 - 180 · Garfield, WAThe pilot did not maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB WPR14CA270Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Quincy, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wind generator tower while drying cherries, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent hard landing.NTSB WPR12LA259Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · East Wenatchee, WAThe pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain clearance from the power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR12LA244Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12B · Pasco, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain the helicopter's rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude over a fruit orchard.NTSB WPR12CA229Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRockwell International S-2R · Royal City, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from an object during an aerial application, which resulted in damage to the landing gear and led to the airplane ground looping during the subsequent landing.NTSB WPR11LA223Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCzech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportcruiser · Arlington, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control during the takeoff climb, which resulted in a stall at low altitude and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impaired performance from over-the-counter medications.NTSB WPR11LA181Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188 · Palouse, WAThe pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from obstacles during a low-level aerial application maneuver.NTSB WPR10LA069Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMahre Starduster SA300 · Zillah, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a low-altitude maneuver.NTSB WPR09CA403Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRockwell 690 · Wenatchee, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness, and thus clearance from objects, while operating at low altitude.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 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 SEA08LA200Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Napavine, WAThe pilot's decision to make a low-altitude pass, and his failure to maintain clearance from all structures while maneuvering.NTSB SEA08CA113Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502 · Waitsburg, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the rising terrain.