# NTSB investigations, OR: 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 WPR25LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA138.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Hood River, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 19, 2025 · N5786S · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB WPR25LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA034.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Durkee, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 7, 2024 · N4361R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate performance planning, which resulted in insufficient engine power to transition into an out-of-ground-effect hover at a high gross weight.
- [NTSB WPR24FA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA255.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Izee, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 26, 2024 · N805DG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering through an area of low visibility due to wildfire smoke and haze.
- [NTSB WPR22LA364](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA364.md): Schleicher ASW-20 · Hood River, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 29, 2022 · N220CW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB WPR22FA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA312.md): Jackson Dennis RV-8 · Scio, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 21, 2022 · N184DJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver and his improper execution of the maneuver, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA338.md): Bell 206L-3 · Tillamook, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 8, 2021 · N6516K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a powerline during a low reconnaissance, with sun glare.
- [NTSB WPR21LA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA333.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Glide, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2021 · N303AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during an aerial application.
- [NTSB WPR20CA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA276.md): Mooney M20C · Hillsboro, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 19, 2020 · N2933L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude on short final due to an encounter with a down draft and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB WPR19FA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA159.md): Titan Titan II · Summerville, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 5, 2019 · N4362V · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA18CA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA254.md): Beech 58 · Sisters, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 5, 2018 · N222BD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude during approach in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an attempted rejected landing and a runway undershoot.
- [NTSB GAA18CA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA172.md): Lithuanian Factory Of LAK 12 · Sunriver, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 20, 2018 · N63010 · Substantial damage
  > The glider pilot's inadequate flight planning, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA145.md): Piper PA28R · Milton-Freewater, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 28, 2018 · N323MQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction’s and flight instructor’s improper decision to enter a canyon surrounded by steep rising terrain and their subsequent failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR16FA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA169.md): Boeing A75N1(PT17) · Madras, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2016 · N999PP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low-level aerobatic maneuver. Contributing to the accident was a high density altitude and the pilot's failure to plan/adequately compensate for high density altitude conditions.
- [NTSB GAA16CA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA213.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Troutdale, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 4, 2016 · N227SH · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to monitor outside the helicopter during hover flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain and rollover.
- [NTSB WPR15FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA161.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Juntura, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 14, 2015 · N5042P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines while intentionally maneuvering at low altitude for the aerial observation flight.
- [NTSB WPR14LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA114.md): Pitts S2C · Roseburg, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 26, 2014 · N102ZT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of orientation while scanning for airport traffic during the turn from the base to final legs of the traffic pattern, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from a tree.
- [NTSB WPR14CA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA052.md): Bell 206B · Milo, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 28, 2013 · N16673 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid wires while maneuvering at a low-altitude, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the wires.
- [NTSB WPR13CA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA354.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · The Dalles, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2013 · N74666 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid wires while maneuvering at a low-altitude, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the wires.
- [NTSB WPR13LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA283.md): Extra 300/LT · Adrian, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2013 · N169TM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to conduct low-level maneuvering in a river canyon with power lines, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.
- [NTSB WPR12FA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA274.md): Cessna 172 · Veneta, OR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2012 · N5781A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and altitude to clear trees during the initial climb after takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR12FA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA136.md): Cessna 150L · Goble, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 15, 2012 · N18677 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's decision to continue flight into the area of reduced visibility and the pilots’ subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the hilly terrain while operating in an area of low ceilings, rain, and fog.
- [NTSB WPR12FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA021.md): Cessna 182R · Lexington, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2011 · N6545E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness and terrain clearance on a dark night during the approach to landing.
- [NTSB WPR11FA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA116.md): Cessna 182K · Adrian, OR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 2011 · N3083Q · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot did not maintain sufficient altitude to clear mountainous terrain while in cruise flight in the dark.
- [NTSB WPR11LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA048.md): MD Helicopter 369D · Salem, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2010 · N155PH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance between the longline and trees, which resulted in the longline snagging a tree and then recoiling into the main rotor blades and a subsequent loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB WPR11FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA047.md): Beech C35 · Enterprise, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2010 · N747MT · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrumented pilot’s inadequate weather planning, which resulted in his failure to maintain visual flight while maneuvering under low ceilings in rainy and foggy conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB WPR10GA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10GA113.md): Cessna 182R · Corvallis, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Jan 18, 2010 · N702 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while operating into a known area of mountain obscuration due to low clouds, precipitation, and mist.
- [NTSB WPR10LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA006.md): Turpen RV-8 · Yankton, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 2009 · N61FS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate planning during an instrument approach and failure to maintain the published minimum altitudes, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR09CA424](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA424.md): Silvaire Luscombe 8A · Sandy, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 28, 2009 · N2218K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue the landing rather than execute a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed and altitude during the approach.
- [NTSB WPR09FA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA414.md): Piper PA-25 · Creswell, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 23, 2009 · N6353Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff for a glider tow operation. Contributing to the accident were the tow pilot's impairment due to marijuana use and the low altitude of the flight that reduced the time available to recover from an…
- [NTSB WPR09CA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA190.md): Ayres S2R-T34 · Cove, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 9, 2009 · N114JP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from rising terrain while maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR09FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA027.md): Cessna P206 · Estacada, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 2008 · N2570X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while on approach to land at night. Contributing to the accident was the electrical system failure and the pilot's diverted attention.
- [NTSB SEA08CA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA143.md): Cessna 150M · Cove, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 28, 2008 · N63422 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during a go-around.

## 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" = 'OR' 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=OR

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.