NTSB investigations, 2020
48 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\") = 2020
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") = 2020 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 CEN21LA084Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Colorado City, TXThe pilot’s loss of control and exceedance of performance and/or structural limitations during low-altitude operations, which resulted in an inflight breakup.. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.NTSB CEN21LA077Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Marietta, TXThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a transmission wire during takeoff.NTSB CEN21LA062Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 120 · Johnson City, KSThe pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane at too low an altitude resulting in the airplane impacting terrain.NTSB WPR21LA058Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Creation Tanarg · Pahrump, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain control while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR21LA056Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Howe, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain after an encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA047Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportErcoupe 415 · Ardmore, OKThe pilot’s improper decision to takeoff with 3 persons in a 2-place airplane and over maximum gross weight, and his failure to apply carburetor heat when the airplane’s engine experienced carburetor ice and a partial loss of power.NTSB CEN21LA021Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Washington, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a hover and improper recovery action after the helicopter contacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover sequence and an impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA005Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT402 · Egypt, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree limb during a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB WPR20LA315Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Emmett, IDThe pilot’s descent below surrounding terrain and his delayed decision to initiate a climb which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were terrain and lighting conditions that affected the pilot’s ability to accurately assess terrain…NTSB ERA20LA330Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA25 · Floral City, FLThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a tree while flying towards the rising sun during an aerial application flight, which resulted in a collision with the tree and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR20WA329Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Rooibok-Kraal, South AfricaNTSB 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 ERA20LA306Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportThrush S2R-H80 · Hawkinsville, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an antenna tower while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight while flying directly toward the sun.NTSB CEN20CA347Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportGrumman G164 · Scottsbluff, NEThe pilot’s loss of visual reference during agricultural low-level flight, resulting in collision with power lines.NTSB CEN20LA330Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Logan, IAThe failure of the lower actuator bearing support brackets, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, a loss of belt tension on the main rotor drive system, and a subsequent forced landing.NTSB WPR20CA253Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobert D Carr Jr Cavalon · Upper Lake, CAThe pilot’s distraction and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude maneuver, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain.NTSB WPR20WA248Accident · Serious injuriesForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Steam Plains, AustraliaThe government of Australia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Robinson R44 helicopter that occurred on July 31, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Australia's investigation under the…NTSB CEN20CA312Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 602 · Tiro, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance while attempting to fly under power lines during an aerial application pass.NTSB CEN20CA311Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 401 · Burlington, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from guy-wires during low-altitude agricultural operations.NTSB CEN20CA308Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportMaule MXT7 · Hillsboro, ILThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while attempting to avoid a deer during landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN20CA310Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportChampion 7GCBC · Angola, INThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a low-level pass, resulting in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack that caused an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…NTSB CEN20CA300Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Dickeyville, WIThe pilot did not maintain clearance from wires during an aerial application flight.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 CEN20LA272Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGolden Circle Air T-Bird · Grosse Ile, MIThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude in gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of flight experience.NTSB WPR20CA197Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Pioche, NVThe pilot’s decision to fly at low level over mountainous terrain and his inability to recover when the helicopter encountered a downdraft that resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB ERA20LA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R66 · Pikeville, NCThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a small diameter wire during low altitude agricultural spraying operations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s insufficient property survey.NTSB ERA20LA217Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Atmore, ALThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, spin, and loss of control.NTSB CEN20CA230Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R22 · El Campo, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the rice vegetation, which resulted in the helicopter's impact with terrain.NTSB WPR20CA179Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAyres S2R · Lenore, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight, which resulted in a wire strike.NTSB CEN20CA229Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna T188 · McCurtain, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during a low altitude aerial application maneuver and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodymanic stall at too low of an altiutde to recover.NTSB WPR20LA170Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportKitfox Kitfox · Lander, WYThe inexperienced pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during a turn at high density altitude, which resulted in an accelerated stall and impact with water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s poor judgment to continue the…NTSB WPR20CA171Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportEnstrom 480 · Murphy, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.NTSB WPR20LA163Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Fairfield, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while conducting external load operations, which resulted in the main rotor contacting a wire and a subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB WPR20CA160Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Vine Grove, KYAircraft control was not maintained during initial climb with gusting wind that resulted in a collision with power lines and the terrain.NTSB ANC20CA049Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna 185 · Palmer, AKThe pilot’s decision to attempt to " water ski" atop a remote river in a wheel-equipped airplane, resulting in a loss of control and a nose over.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 CEN20LA143Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502 · Pecan Gap, TXThe pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from tree, which resulted in a collision with a tree and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN20CA144Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R22 · Seymour, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN20CA139Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportRans S-12 Airaile · Hillrose, COThe noncertificated pilot's diverted attention while looking at a fire during low-altitude flying, which resulted in a collision with power lines.NTSB CEN20LA442Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Sterling City, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.NTSB ERA20CA131Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAmerican Legand AL18 · Social Circle, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in the collision with terrain.NTSB ERA20CA128Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportStolp Starduster Acroduster II SA750 · Senoia, GAThe pilot's failure to see and avoid trees while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN20FA110Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Lincoln, ILThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during an aerial survey, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover.NTSB WPR20CA092Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH 58A · Colexico, CAThe pilot's failure to arrest the descent rate while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB CEN20CA085Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Marfa, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during low-altitude maneuvering.NTSB ANC20CA018Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Palmer, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR20WA076Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignLockheed C130 · Cooma, AustraliaNTSB ERA20LA094Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAirborne America AX9-140 · Homestead, FLThe pilot's decision to operate the balloon at low altitude near obstructions, structures, and powerlines, which resulted in the balloon contacting powerlines. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's inadequate oversight of…