# NTSB investigations, FL: Flight control sys malf/fail 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 ERA26LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA159.md): Cessna 172M · Lakeland, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Apr 5, 2026 · N61972 · Substantial damage > On April 05, 2026, at 0007 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M airplane, N61972, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lakeland, Florida. The pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) rated passenger were uninjured. The… - [NTSB ERA26LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA089.md): Alon A-2A · Winter Haven, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Dec 19, 2025 · N818SW · Substantial damage > On December 19, 2025, about 0918 EST, an Alon A-2A, N818SW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Winter Haven Regional Airport (GIF), Winter Haven, Florida. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title… - [NTSB ERA25LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA350.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Astatula, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Sep 17, 2025 · N580JA · Substantial damage > On September 17, 2025 at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181 100i, N580JA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Astatula, Florida. The student pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a 14 Code of… - [NTSB ERA25LA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA301.md): Cessna 560XL · Oakland Park, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Aug 14, 2025 · N802TD · Substantial damage > On August 14, 2025, about 1715 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 560XL, N802TD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Oakland Park, Florida. The airline transport pilot and commercial pilot were not injured. The airplane was… - [NTSB ERA25LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA079.md): Air Tractor AT504 · Big Cypress, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 18, 2024 · N8516V · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to depart with cargo outside of the designated baggage compartment, which resulted in the cargo interfering with the rudder control system. - [NTSB ERA24LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA263.md): Rotorway Exec · Alva, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 14, 2024 · N99TE · Substantial damage > A loss of tail rotor control as a result of unsecured tail rotor drive belt tensioner bolts. - [NTSB ERA24LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA128.md): Cub Crafters PA18-150 · Edgewater, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 1, 2024 · N143CC · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s failure to detect the worn aileron cable during the most recent inspections, which resulted in the separation of the aileron control cable and a subsequent loss of airplane control during landing. - [NTSB ERA23FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA247.md): Cessna 172 · Lake Worth, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 26, 2023 · N3KV · Destroyed > Maintenance personnel’s failure to detect the corroded aileron cable during recent inspections, which resulted in the separation of the aileron control cable and a subsequent loss of airplane control during takeoff. - [NTSB ERA23LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA245.md): Piper PA-25-260 · Hollywood, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 25, 2023 · N454AB · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA23LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA167.md): Champion 7FC · Winter Haven, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 24, 2022 · N6ND · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to properly secure the rear seat headset, resulting in an obstruction of the airplane’s rudder controls. - [NTSB ERA22LA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA340.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Mariner · Hollywood, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2022 · N42WC · Substantial damage > Inadequate maintenance of the helicopter’s tail rotor blades, which resulted in a failure of the tail rotor drive system, and an inflight loss of yaw control from which the flight instructor was unable to recover. - [NTSB ERA22LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA299.md): Arnold J/Jones D L AIR CAM · Sebring, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 3, 2022 · N6272Z · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of control during landing. - [NTSB ERA22FA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA189.md): Schleicher ASW-19B · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 16, 2022 · N19KW · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper preflight assembly of the glider’s elevator control, which resulted in a loss of control on takeoff, and the pilot’s failure to complete a positive control check before the flight, which would have identified the disconnected elevator… - [NTSB ERA22FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA015.md): Velocity SE RG · Titusville, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 14, 2021 · N755V · Destroyed > The separation of the airplane’s elevator control push-pull tube, which resulted in a loss of control during the approach. - [NTSB ERA21LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA360.md): Zenith 750 Cruzer · New Smyrna, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 14, 2021 · N161AR · Substantial damage > The mechanic’s inadequate inspection of the flight control system, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. - [NTSB ERA21LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA131.md): Piper PA-18 · Lake Placid, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 10, 2021 · N8183C · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to ensure that the aft seat cushion was adequately secured, which resulted in its movement, subsequent interference with the flight controls, and a hard landing. - [NTSB ENG20LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG20LA031.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350 · Clewiston, FL · Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 3, 2020 · N1WT · No damage > Seizure of the hydraulic pump pulley bearing due to its improper installation by the manufacturer, leading to a failure of the hydraulic pump belt and the resultant partial loss of hydraulic assistance to the pedals. - [NTSB CEN19LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA174.md): Robinson R44 · Key West, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2019 · N1241W · Substantial damage > The failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure the right-side tail boom mounting bolts which resulted in the failure of the bolts and an inflight separation of the tail rotor. - [NTSB ERA19FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA034.md): Autogyro Cavalon · Sebring, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 2018 · N198LT · Destroyed > The pilot's improper decision to operate the gyroplane in an unairworthy condition, which resulted in the cyclic pitch control disconnecting in flight. Contributing was the pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter utilizing the published… - [NTSB ERA18LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA140.md): Robinson R22 · Panama City, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2018 · N923SM · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to properly remove and secure the tie-down ropes during the preflight inspection, which resulted in the ropes becoming entangled in the rotor head swashplate and pitch control rods during flight and the subsequent loss of pitch control. - [NTSB ERA17LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA263.md): Sikorsky S-97A · Jupiter, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2017 · N971SK · Substantial damage > A design change in the helicopter's fly-by-wire control system that resulted in an increase in the sensitivity of the cyclic stick while transitioning from ground to flight mode, magnifying the pilot's control inputs, which resulted in unintentional over… - [NTSB ERA17FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA148.md): Piper PA 12 · Sanford, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2017 · N3280M · Destroyed > The incorrect rigging of the elevator control cables, which resulted in a reversal of elevator control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff, an excessive nose-high pitch, and subsequent aerodynamic stall after takeoff. Also causal was the inadequate… - [NTSB GAA17CA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA178.md): Schweizer 269C · Ormond beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 21, 2017 · N614TA · Substantial damage > The separation of the throttle cable’s outer housing from the inner housing at the throttle linkage while at a high-power setting, which prevented the pilot from being able to control the throttle and execute a proper landing flare and resulted in a hard… - [NTSB ERA15IA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15IA008.md): Cessna S550 · Tampa, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2014 · N550AJ · No damage > The lack of flat roller bearings in the two elevator trim tab actuators and maintenance personnel’s inadequate lubrication of the left elevator trim tab actuator, both of which resulted in the overstress fracture of the left internal screw and subsequent… - [NTSB ERA13IA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13IA326.md): Piper PA-34 · Palm Coast, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2013 · N767PE · No damage > The installation of an incorrect rudder trim tab control rod by unknown maintenance personnel, which resulted in the rod failing in flight due to overload and subsequent uncontrolled rudder oscillations. - [NTSB ERA13IA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13IA267.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Tallahassee, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 2013 · N633TC · No damage > The failure of the elevator trim cable due to fatigue cracking, which resulted from maintenance personnel’s repeated inadequate inspection of the cable. - [NTSB ERA13LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA198.md): Franke Russell J Searey · Polk City, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2013 · N92319 · Substantial damage > An inadvertent encounter with the water wake from a larger amphibious airplane before takeoff and the pilot's subsequent inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane during which he failed to note damage caused by the wake encounter. - [NTSB ERA13FA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA186.md): Robinson R44 · Miami, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 3, 2013 · N3101H · Destroyed > The mechanic's failure to properly secure the pitch link hardware of one main rotor blade to the rotating swash plate, which resulted in the pitch link separating in flight and the pilot's subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the… - [NTSB ERA13IA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13IA114.md): Cessna 560XL · Debary, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 2013 · N662QS · No damage > An accumulation of debris in the airplane’s bilge drain holes that prevented accumulated moisture from properly draining; the accumulated moisture subsequently froze around the elevator control components, which resulted in the flight control stiffness.… - [NTSB ERA13LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA069.md): Lawson J/Bowie R/Smith M CA-8 · Merritt Island, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 2012 · N155JD · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper decision to continue a cross-country flight as a primary control (aileron) system anomaly progressively worsened. Contributing to the accident was an aileron control system anomaly, the reason for which could not be determined because the… - [NTSB ERA12LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA379.md): Bell 427 · Indiantown, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 2012 · N427AL · Substantial damage > The inflight collision with birds, resulting in damage to the rotor head assembly and a subsequent forced landing and rollover. - [NTSB ERA12LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA307.md): Rice Leo B Kitfox Series 5 · Port Canaveral, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 28, 2012 · N77LR · Substantial damage > Impingement of the elevator control by foreign objects (clamp, glove) left in the flight control path by the pilot/owner or maintenance personnel. - [NTSB ERA12FA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA127.md): Cessna 650 · Ft. Lauderdale, FL · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 2011 · N877G · Substantial damage > The crew's failure to use proper emergency procedures during an uncommanded right roll after takeoff, which led to a forced landing with a quartering tailwind. Contributing to the accident was a faulty right roll spoiler actuator, which allowed the right roll… - [NTSB ERA12IA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12IA097.md): Cessna 560XL · Ocoee, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 2011 · N576CS · No damage > Water contamination in the pitch trim actuators. - [NTSB ERA11IA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11IA110.md): Mooney M20E · St. Petersburg, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jan 6, 2011 · N7828V · No damage > An inadequately maintained interior cockpit boot, which allowed a flashlight to fall through and subsequently jam the airplane's flight controls. Contributing to the incident was a lack of emphasis by government, industry, and advocacy groups that the… - [NTSB ERA10CA425](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA425.md): Ryan Navion B · Fort Myers, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 16, 2010 · N5382K · Substantial damage > The binding of the trim wheel on the instrument panel and the pilot’s improper decision to depart with a known mechanical deficiency. - [NTSB ERA10LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA328.md): Parks J L/Dreffin D Seawind 3000 · Sanibel Island, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2010 · N79DJ · Substantial damage > An overstress failure of the elevator. Contributing to the accident was the owner/builder's modification of the experimental airplane beyond the recommendations of the kit manufacturer. - [NTSB DCA10CA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA10CA061.md): Boeing 747 · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 17, 2010 · N498MC · Substantial damage > impact of the fore flap with the aft fuselage after fatigue failure of the right wing fore flap carriage assembly attachment fitting at position 6. - [NTSB ERA09CA495](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA495.md): Underland/Grothe/Finstrom Mmii (Must · Lantana, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 29, 2009 · N7798R · Substantial damage > The delay by both pilots to abort the takeoff resulting in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the unintentional forward movement of the pilot's seat resulting in interference with the control stick. - [NTSB ERA09FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA141.md): Remos Remos GX · Sebring, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2009 · N9GX · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight assembly and inspection which resulted in the pushrod connection to the left aileron not being connected, which led to a subsequent inflight loss of control and impact with terrain. - [NTSB ERA09IA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09IA009.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Lakeland, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 2008 · N101CD · Minor damage > A failure of the flap actuator rod end due to low stress, high cycle fatigue, and subsequent overstress failure. - [NTSB MIA08LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA121.md): Mckeehan James F Acroduster II SA750 · Panama City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 2008 · N363J · Substantial damage > The pilot's inability to recover from an intentional aerobatic maneuver due to loss of aileron control. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an inadequate aileron secondary stop block against the main spar of both lower wings. ## 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" = 'FL' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '333' 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 ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence?state=FL --- 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.