NTSB investigations, 2021
46 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\") = 2021
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") = 2021 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 CEN22LA088Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing A75N1(PT17) · Rainbow, TXThe pilot’s improper decision to conduct an intentional low altitude flight which resulted in a collision with wires and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN22LA074Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMini-MAX 1600R Sport · South Bend, INThe pilot’s low-level flight and poor visual lookout which resulted in collision with a light pole on final approach and the pilot’s improper decision to operate an airplane under the influence of alcohol.NTSB WPR22LA059Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Hachita, NMThe pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment during a low level operation, which resulted in collision with vegetation.NTSB CEN22FA053Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206 · Perry, OKA loss of lateral control during a hover that resulted in an impact with terrain. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the loss of lateral control could not be determined.NTSB WPR22FA043Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182Q · Carlsbad, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain separation from an FM tower guy wire while on an aerial survey flight.NTSB ERA22LA031Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV-12 · Folkston, GAThe pilot’s low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with a utility pole.NTSB WPR22FA011Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 175 · Reserve, NMThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reduced forward visibility due to the sun.NTSB CEN22LA006Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Delta, MOThe pilot’s inadequate inflight planning and his failure to see and avoid a wire which resulted in contact with the wire and subsequent ground impact.NTSB WPR21LA360Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182E · Warren, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering in a valley of mountainous terrain.NTSB CEN21LA454Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportKitfox IV · Ozark, ARThe pilot’s inability to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while he intentionally flew at a low-altitude during a practice for a short-takeoff-and-landing flight competition.NTSB CEN21LA446Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCole Paul B Challenger I · Higginsville, MOThe non-certificated pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a low-level turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN21LA421Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Reynoldsville, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the wire during low altitude operations in windy conditions.NTSB ERA21FA355Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAmerican Champion 8KCAB · Rhine, GAA collision with trees during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver for unknown reasons.NTSB CEN21FA410Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Mentone, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR21LA338Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Tillamook, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a powerline during a low reconnaissance, with sun glare.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 WPR21LA333Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Glide, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during an aerial application.NTSB CEN21FA368Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRockwell International S2R · Strasburg, NDThe pilot’s intentional flight under power lines and his failure to maintain clearance from the lines during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN21LA356Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Corydon, INThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines.NTSB CEN21LA354Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502 · Wooster, OHThe pilot inadvertently collided with powerline wires during an agricultural spraying flight, resulting in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB CEN21LA350Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Waukon, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a powerline during an agricultural application pass.NTSB CEN21FA355Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNorth American T-6G · Starkville, MSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN21LA349Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Randolph, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB WPR21LA310Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Fort Sumner, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a windmill while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN21LA348Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Merry, NEThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB CEN21LA452Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Mineral Point, WIThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a wire during an aerial application flight, resulting in a collision with the wire.NTSB CEN21LA339Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · West Liberty, IAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a wire while maneuvering at low altitude during an aerial application flight, resulting in a collision with the wire.NTSB CEN21FA330Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Elgin, MNThe pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter under powerlines, which resulted in a main rotor blade striking a powerline, causing the helicopter to descend from a low altitude and impact terrain.NTSB CEN21LA313Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT802 · Newell, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from crops during an agricultural flight.NTSB CEN21LA318Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Nappanee, INThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the tower during low-level agricultural operations.NTSB ERA21LA270Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Waxhaw, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB ERA21LA269Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGarlick Helicopters OH-58A+ · Alpine, ALThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level aerial application flight, resulting in main rotor blade impact with a fiber-optic cable, a loss of control, and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA283Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Edwardsburg, MIThe pilot’s failure to identify rising terrain and to maintain terrain clearance from trees during an aerial application pass that resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain.NTSB ERA21LA262Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Swan Lake, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the power transmission tower structure during powerline maintenance work, which resulted in the helicopter's main rotor striking the lifeline support bracket for the tower catwalk and the subsequent loss…NTSB CEN21LA225Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH58A · Ulysses, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during the aerial application flight, which resulted in collision with the power line and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB GAA21WA103Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignPrecision Helicopters UH-1H · Rayón, MexicoNTSB ERA21FA200Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Wingate, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight, resulting in tail rotor impact with the power line, a loss of control, and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB ERA21LA193Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportTextron 208B · Laceyville, PAThe pilot’s improper decision to conduct a low altitude flight and his failure to see and avoid powerlines. Contributing was the operator’s lack of safety guidance or a safety policy for low-altitude operations.NTSB CEN21LA179Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportDestiny Powered Parachutes 2000 · Saint Paul, NEThe uncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the powered parachute during low altitude flight in gusting wind conditions.NTSB CEN21LA165Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Lake City, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during power line maintenance.NTSB WPR21LA130Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Laton, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-altitude maneuvering.NTSB CEN21LA148Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402B · Moorhead, MSThe pilot did not maintain clearance from a powerline during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN21LA155Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Dunn, TXThe loss of rotor RPM for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB CEN21LA139Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Kaufman, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low-level maneuvering.NTSB CEN21LA123Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper J3F-50 · Weidman, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a low approach over a snow-covered runway. Contributing to the accident was the loss of depth perception due to the bright sunlight and snow.NTSB CEN21LA119Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Silt, COThe pilot’s failure to avoid powerlines while flying at low altitude.