NTSB investigations, 2013
47 cases where the sequence of events included Low altitude operation/event.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 58 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2010 | 56 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2012 | 41 |
| 2013 | 47 |
| 2014 | 36 |
| 2015 | 34 |
| 2016 | 32 |
| 2017 | 40 |
| 2018 | 34 |
| 2019 | 53 |
| 2020 | 48 |
| 2021 | 46 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2023 | 39 |
| 2024 | 37 |
| 2025 | 35 |
| 2026 | 22 |
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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2013
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 year(c."eventDate") = 2013 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 WPR14CA066Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Monticello, UTThe passenger's accidental discharge of the net gun which resulted in the net going through a main rotor blade.NTSB WPR14CA048Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMaule MX 7-235 · San Ynez, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering at low altitude in hilly terrain.NTSB WPR14CA052Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Milo, ORThe pilot's failure to see and avoid wires while maneuvering at a low-altitude, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the wires.NTSB ERA14LA011Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing B75N1 · Tampa, FLThe parachutist’s low altitude departure from the right wing before the planned altitude and his delayed opening of his parachute canopy, which resulted in impact with a tree and then the ground before the parachute fully opened.NTSB WPR14LA005Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Paulden, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear a radio tower while maneuvering at low altitude and his decision to make a high-speed, low pass over the gun club.NTSB WPR13LA429Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTexas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 · Santa Maria, CAThe pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during a low-altitude maneuver.NTSB WPR13LA420Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMiller RV6 · Williams, CAThe pilot's improper decision to fly at a low altitude, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from power lines.NTSB CEN13LA537Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportContinental Copters Tomcat MK5A · Arlington, MNThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering when he removed his hand from the collective control while plugging in his radio connection to his helmet, which resulted in the collective moving to the full-down position.NTSB CEN13LA533Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Atlantic, IAThe pilot’s delay in releasing product to reduce the airplane’s weight and improve its climb performance, which was reduced because of the high density altitude.NTSB CEN13FA517Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Caballo, NMThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering near the ground because dust stirred up by the rotor wash obscured his visibility.NTSB CEN13LA507Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Clayton, NMThe pilot's loss of vertical control after the helicopter encountered a gusty tailwind while maneuvering at a low altitude and near the helicopter's maximum gross weight.NTSB WPR13LA385Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobert Golding Tbirdii · Bakersfield, CAThe failure of the two pilots to adequately planflight, particularly regarding their roles and responsibilities, which resulted in their failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear power lines during a low pass.NTSB CEN13LA484Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell International S-2R · Larchwood, IAA complete loss of engine power during an agricultural application flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN13LA464Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-300 · Santa Teresa, NMThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree at the completion of an agricultural spray run. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to accept a high level of risk to spray a small field bordered by multiple obstacles and his fatigue…NTSB CEN13LA461Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Ackerly, TXThe pilot’s failure to identify and maintain adequate clearance from a shield wire that was suspended between power transmission line towers.NTSB WPR13LA358Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Chualar, CAMaintenance personnel's failure to properly tighten the bolts securing the main driveshaft to the transmission, which resulted in fatigue failure of the bolts and disconnection of the driveshaft during low-altitude flight.NTSB CEN13FA456Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Chesterfield, MOThe pilot’s failure to establish and maintain a positive climb rate during the initial climb in night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA13FA340Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFolland Gnat T 1 · Georgetown, SCThe loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined due to postcrash fire damage. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at low altitude, which did not allow sufficient time for him to regain…NTSB CEN13LA444Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEagle DW-1 · Eagle Lake, MNThe pilot's misjudgment of tree heights, which resulted in the collision with a tree.NTSB CEN13LA442Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTexas Helicopter OH-13H/M74A · Streator, ILThe pilot's diverted attention during an agricultural application maneuver, which resulted in the helicopter impacting a corn field.NTSB CEN13LA448Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Capron, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain main rotor speed while maneuvering at low altitude during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB CEN13TA441Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 182S · Tecumseh, OKThe pilot's inadvertent aerodynamic stall at a low altitude, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN13LA447Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Tamaroa, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an agricultural application maneuver.NTSB CEN13LA425Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-400 · Steward, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the guy wires during an aerial application maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to identify potential obstructions in the area before beginning low-altitude maneuvers.NTSB CEN13LA424Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Huntingburg, INThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line during an aerial application maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to identify potential obstructions in the area before beginning low-altitude maneuvers.NTSB CEN13LA395Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Plover, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper engine rpm, which resulted in a high rate of descent and ground impact.NTSB CEN13LA377Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDankelman Peter G RV-7A · Marion, TXThe pilot’s sudden incapacitation and natural death as a result of cardiovascular disease.NTSB CEN13LA375Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Colome, SDThe loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident engine run revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR13LA283Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportExtra 300/LT · Adrian, ORThe pilot's improper decision to conduct low-level maneuvering in a river canyon with power lines, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.NTSB CEN13LA368Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNanchang China CJ-6 · Wolcott, COThe pilots decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude from which he was unable to recover.NTSB CEN13LA358Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Durango, COThe pilot's improper decision to take off with a tailwind at a high-density altitude, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to maintain the initial climb rate.NTSB CEN13LA353Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Minot, NDThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN13FA327Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Mosca, COThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while attempting to clear a mountain pass in turbulent conditions at a high density altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN13LA322Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Covington, OKThe airplane’s failure to climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR13FA244Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Mountainaire, AZThe pilot's inability to maintain a climb after departure in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's decision not to track the four-lane highway just beyond the…NTSB WPR13LA248Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Wheatland, WYA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot's inadequate fuel planning.NTSB WPR13LA233Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G-164D · Butte City, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after an encounter with wake turbulence while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue due to extended hours of wakefulness and high workload.NTSB ERA13LA238Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSteele Ralph Bruce Steen Skybolt · Windsor, NCThe pilot's decision to initiate an aerobatic maneuver with insufficient altitude to recover before ground impact.NTSB CEN13LA263Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Udall, KSThe pilot's inadequate flight planning, which resulted in a wire strike.NTSB CEN13FA259Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Lamar, MOThe pilot's in-flight loss of control, which was likely due to a sudden cardiac event.NTSB CEN13FA241Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Norfolk, NEThe pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude and his subsequent failure to see and avoid power lines.NTSB WPR13CA204Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Wells, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB CEN13LA211Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Plainview, TXThe student pilot's improper decision to fly in night visual meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain altitude and clearance from obstacles.NTSB ERA13CA163Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Greenbrier, ALThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees.NTSB WPR13GA128Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 206B · Eureka, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire while maneuvering during low-altitude operations. Contributing to the accident was task- and/or work-related fatigue.NTSB ERA13CA130Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportDratbe Shmiel Amir Classic Edge X · Miami, FLThe student pilot's decision to fly at low altitude surrounded by tree, wire, and water hazards, and his failure to maintain clearance from those obstacles.NTSB WPR13FA095Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Boulder, UTThe pilot’s improper decision to maneuver at a low altitude and failure to adequately monitor the environment to maintain clearance from power lines.