# NTSB investigations, MN: Altitude

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN25LA400](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA400.md): Piper PA-34-200 · Rush City, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2025 · N14SS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly monitor the airplane glide path which resulted in the inadvertent descent below the approach minimum descent altitude and the impact with trees.
- [NTSB CEN25LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA286.md): Weatherly 620B · Rushmore, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2025 · N2032J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during low-level maneuvering.
- [NTSB CEN25LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA246.md): Thorp T18 · Lake Elmo, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 6, 2025 · N18CH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the go-around, that resulted in the tailwheel impacting a taxiway sign, a subsequent loss of control due to the damaged tailwheel, and a runway excursion during the landing.
- [NTSB CEN24LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA139.md): Aerostar International S53A · Rochester, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 21, 2024 · N5236R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while landing in a field.
- [NTSB CEN24LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA087.md): Piper J3C · Park Rapids, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 9, 2024 · N1401V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and terrain clearance during initial climb, that resulted in an impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA006.md): Gyro Technic GT-VX2 · Saint Peter, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2023 · N557LJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering through a river valley.
- [NTSB CEN23LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA324.md): Air Tractor AT-402B · Clara City, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 25, 2023 · N291DL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a transmission line during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN22LA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA340.md): Weatherly 620A · Stewart, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 25, 2022 · N4651W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from crops during an agricultural flight.
- [NTSB CEN20CA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA111.md): Cessna P206 · Hill City, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 3, 2020 · N206JF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude and airspeed during the approach and his delayed addition of power to go around and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a nose-over after landing on the closed snow-covered…
- [NTSB CEN18FA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA297.md): Aeronca 7AC · Alexandria, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2018 · N85506 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's intentional low-altitude flight, which resulted in an impact with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN18FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA011.md): Cessna 172M · Ramsey, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2017 · N7CF · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly along the river at a low altitude contrary to applicable regulations and safety of flight considerations which resulted in the impact with the power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to see the and avoid…
- [NTSB CEN17LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA250.md): North American T-28A · Moorhead, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2017 · N9103F · Destroyed
  > Controlled descent into terrain due to engine issues, the reason for which could not be determined because examination of the engine revealed no evidence of malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB GAA17CA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA215.md): Cessna 182 · Blue Earth, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 3, 2017 · N8889X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue the night, visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain while on final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper use of an electronic flight…
- [NTSB CEN16FA372](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA372.md): Agusta A109 · Alexandria, MN · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 2016 · N91NM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's excessive cyclic input during a missed approach maneuver in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and spiraling descent into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN16LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA326.md): Thrush S2R T660 · Ruthton, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 2016 · N40499 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid the tower guy-wire during an agricultural spraying operation.
- [NTSB CEN16LA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA303.md): Hughes 269A · Morris, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2016 · N269JB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain due to his distraction by the navigation system.
- [NTSB GAA16CA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA399.md): Air Tractor AT 301 · Bird Island, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2016 · N7311X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's diverted attention inside the cockpit and failure to maintain the airplane's altitude while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN14CA444](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA444.md): Hughes 369HS · Saint Peter, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2014 · N369GN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not see the wires resulting in the subsequent wire collision.
- [NTSB CEN14LA418](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA418.md): Texas Helicopter OH 13H/M74A · Little Falls, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 2014 · N51853 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree at the edge of a field that he was spraying.
- [NTSB CEN13LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA088.md): Cessna 172M · Rochester, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2012 · N9853Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation during the instrument approach in night, instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane descending below decision height and impacting terrain outside the lateral limits of the localizer. Contributing…
- [NTSB CEN12CA546](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA546.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Hanley Falls, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 14, 2012 · N1021D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a guy wire during an agricultural application pass.
- [NTSB CEN12CA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA319.md): Hughes 369HS · Delavan, MN · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 25, 2012 · N11ZX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with power lines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN11CA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA010.md): Martin Curtis Zenair CH701 SP · Lonsdale, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 10, 2010 · N157SB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line while on approach to land.
- [NTSB CEN10LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA188.md): Beech 95 · Eden Prairie, MN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2010 · N20FP · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of an intake valve spring on the right engine, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power on takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN10LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA055.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Naytahwaush, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2009 · N7736N · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue the flight into known instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN09CA540](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA540.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · East Grand Forks, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2009 · N4516K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the crops while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CHI08CA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA252.md): Hiller UH-12E · Cokato, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 15, 2008 · N945HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not visually identify and maintain clearance with the power lines, and the pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter once it contacted the power lines. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude operations being…
- [NTSB CHI08CA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA243.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Cosmos, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 11, 2008 · N7297Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the guide wire while maneuvering on an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the presence of the guide wire.
- [NTSB CHI08CA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA176.md): Aero Commander S2R · Clontarf, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 6, 2008 · N5519X · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines. Contributing to the accident was the power transmission lines.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```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 c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'MN' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '01062012'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases?state=MN

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