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NTSB investigations, 2026

22 cases where the sequence of events included Low altitude operation/event.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

20082026

Where

Latest cases

Query with SQL

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") = 2026 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

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\") = 2026
    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") = 2026
  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 ERA27LA017Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openRobinson Helicopter R44 · Kinnelon, NJOct 20, 2026 · N744CJ NTSB ERA27FA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldInvestigation openBell 407 · Myakka City, FLOct 16, 2026 · N618TS 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…Sep 24, 2026 · N44P · Substantial damage NTSB WPR26LA312Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportSchweizer G-164B · Olene, OROn August 20, 2026, about 9:32 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer Aircraft Corp., G-164B, N7501Q, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Orlene, Oregon. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…Aug 20, 2026 · N7501Q · Destroyed NTSB CEN26LA286Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T188C · Randolph, NEThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during a low-level aerial application flight.Aug 1, 2026 · N9998J · Substantial damage NTSB CEN26LA289Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 Raven 1 · Scribner, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low-level altitude during an agricultural operation.Jul 18, 2026 · N26EH · Substantial damage NTSB CEN26LA256Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Coralville, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight.Jul 16, 2026 · N322TC · Substantial damage NTSB CEN26LA252Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT802 · Whiting, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an antenna while maneuvering during a low-level aerial application flight.Jul 13, 2026 · N808HB · Substantial damage NTSB ANC26LA055Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openPiper PA-18 105 · Petersville, AKJun 18, 2026 · N249T · Substantial damage NTSB CEN26LA185Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Dallas, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness and clearance from the helipad surveillance camera during liftoff.May 13, 2026 · N652AE · Substantial damage NTSB WPR26LA180Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Marysvale, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in mountainous terrain prior to encountering a downdraft.May 10, 2026 · N6643A · Destroyed NTSB ANC26LA037Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportTundrair King · Palmer, AKOn May 5, 2026, about 1950 Alaska daylight time (AKDT), an experimental Tundrair King airplane, N62TK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Palmer, Alaska. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…May 6, 2026 · N62TK · Destroyed NTSB ERA26FA178Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportMooney M20J · Ironton, OHOn April 17, 2026, about 1414 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N205MK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ironton, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91…Apr 17, 2026 · N205MK · Substantial damage NTSB CEN26LA168Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Mount Blanco, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper main rotor rpm during a low-level turn, which resulted in the main rotor rpm drooping, a loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery, and a subsequent impact with terrain.Apr 17, 2026 · N445JS · Substantial damage NTSB WPR26LA146Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Chimney Rock, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain while performing a low altitude circling takeoff maneuver, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.Apr 4, 2026 · N5017G · Substantial damage NTSB CEN26LA148Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Stonewall, TXOn March 24, 2026, about 0930 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N233JD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Stonewall, Texas. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a…Mar 24, 2026 · N233JD · Substantial damage NTSB WPR26LA123Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBrunner Donald G Kitfox · Rock Crossing, AZAn encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an impact with terrain.Mar 10, 2026 · N104DG · Substantial damage NTSB WPR26FA121Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportMD Helicopters 369FF · Mojave, CAOn March 9, 2026, about 1517 Pacific daylight time, an MD Helicopters 369FF, N530XX, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Mojave, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…Mar 9, 2026 · N530XX · Substantial damage NTSB GAA26WA120Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBeech B-60 · Egelsbach, GermanyFeb 28, 2026 · N181BD · No damage NTSB WPR26LA104Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAerosport Ikarus C42E · Wendover, UTThe pilot’s mismanagement of engine power during a maximum performance, 180° climbing left turn at a low altitude that resulted in impact with terrain.Feb 16, 2026 · N420MS · Substantial damage NTSB CEN26LA101Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Sullivan, MOThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-level operations.Jan 29, 2026 · N916VK · Destroyed NTSB WPR26FA091Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportN126c CCX-1865 · Montour, IDOn January 27, 2026, about 1100 mountain standard time, an amateur-built, experimental CCX-1865 Carbon Cub, N126C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Montour, Idaho. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The…Jan 27, 2026 · N126C · Substantial damage