NTSB investigations, 2023
39 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\") = 2023
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") = 2023 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 ERA24LA060Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150 · Mount Vernon, ALThe pilot’s decision to operate the airplane at a low altitude over a river, and his failure to maintain clearance from the river while maneuvering.NTSB WPR24LA092Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Calexico, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN24FA049Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMD Helicopters 600 · Sterling City, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line pole’s static arm during forecasted gusting wind conditions, un-forecasted light turbulence, and un-forecasted low-level wind shear conditions, resulting in main rotor blade contact with the static…NTSB CEN24LA029Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAg-Cat G-164B · Abbeville, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN24FA021Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Vidalia, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s cell phone use and the position of the sun, which reduced the pilot’s ability to perceive the location of the power…NTSB CEN24LA006Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGyro Technic GT-VX2 · Saint Peter, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering through a river valley.NTSB CEN23FA412Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · New Rockford, NDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from overhead power lines during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly under the power lines with a small area of clearance available for the airplane.NTSB CEN23FA409Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportThrush S2R-T660 · Ardoch, NDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a guy wire during an aerial application flight.NTSB WPR23LA338Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 212 · Balch Camp, CAThe pilot’s inadequate performance planning for the operation that resulted in an excessive gross weight for the operating conditions, leading to a loss of altitude during maneuvering and contact with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…NTSB WPR23LA322Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5B · Lone Pine, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft, which resulted in collision with terrain.NTSB ERA23LA334Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportScoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS · Hickory, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision and loss of control.NTSB ERA23LA332Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 47G-5 · Mifflinville, PAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN23LA357Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA25 · Hartington, NEThe pilot’s misperception of the rising terrain resulting in a collision with crops and terrain.NTSB CEN23FA353Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802 · Gilman City, MOThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a steep turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB ERA23LA326Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Elberon, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact.NTSB CEN23LA341Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Arthur, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB CEN23LA342Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Denison, IAThe pilot’s inflight distraction, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid wires.NTSB ERA23FA317Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206-L4 · Springfield, OHThe pilot’s failure to remain clear of powerlines during an agricultural spraying operation.NTSB CEN23LA328Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Hanlontown, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a cable during spray operations.NTSB CEN23LA324Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402B · Clara City, MNThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a transmission line during an aerial application flight.NTSB ERA23LA307Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Terra Alta, WVThe pilot’s inability to maneuver the helicopter for recovery after experiencing a strong, unanticipated tailwind in a confined operating area, which resulted in a descent and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN23LA311Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802 · Benson, MNThe pilot’s failure to adequately survey a field for obstructions prior to a low-level aerial application pass, which resulted in an impact with a powerline. Contributing to the accident was the degraded visibility due to the smoke in the area.NTSB CEN23LA308Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Atchison, KSThe pilot’s failure to adequately survey a field for obstructions prior to a low-level aerial application pass, which resulted in an impact with a powerline.NTSB CEN23LA280Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Amity, MOThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid wires while conducting a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB CEN23LA279Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Chapman, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the power line during an agricultural application pass.NTSB WPR23FA223Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCompagnie Daher TB 30 Epsilon · Apache Junction, AZThe pilot’s controlled flight into the mountainous terrain due to diminished depth perception as a result of the shadowing effect from the sun’s position. Contributing to the accident was the decision by all three pilots to fly low altitude around the…NTSB CEN23LA219Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Pontiac, MIThe flight crew’s inadequate compensation for gusting wind, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with the ground.NTSB CEN23LA212Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Light, ARThe pilot exceeding the climb capability of the airplane during takeoff which led to it settling into the ground.NTSB CEN23LA303Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAyres S2R-G6 · Ulysses, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a cable during spray operations.NTSB ERA23LA245Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-25-260 · Hollywood, FLThe pilot’s improper banner pickup approach, which resulted in the banner tow hook contacting the airplane, and the subsequent overload separation of the right rudder control horn, resulting in a loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN23FA155Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJunior Ace · Mammoth Springs, ARThe pilot’s intentional flight into terrain as an act of suicide.NTSB WPR23LA147Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Midway, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a pinnacle landing that resulted in a hard landing and subsequent roll over.NTSB WPR23LA145Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Elko, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed in gusting tailwind conditions that resulted in an unrecoverable descent and impact with terrain.NTSB ANC23FA031Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 407 · Nuevo, CAThe pilot’s decision to maneuver in a steep bank at a low altitude, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance with terrain.NTSB WPR23FA122Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRockwell International S-2R · Willows, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while flying under multiple conductors during a low-altitude aerial application flight, which resulted in propeller contact with a powerline and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR23LA120Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Vernalis, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight.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 WPR23LA103Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Porterville, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN23LA086Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Fowlerton, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with trees, which resulted in an uncontrollable spin due to tail rotor damage.