# Flight control system - Type: NTSB finding section - Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft systems](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0102) › Flight control system - NTSB code: 010227 - Cases: 459 - In the probable cause: 410 - Fatal cases: 79 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010227/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010227/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010227 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 28 / 32 - 2009: 19 / 25 - 2010: 31 / 36 - 2011: 26 / 28 - 2012: 30 / 31 - 2013: 23 / 29 - 2014: 23 / 25 - 2015: 16 / 19 - 2016: 22 / 22 - 2017: 30 / 31 - 2018: 21 / 23 - 2019: 21 / 23 - 2020: 20 / 22 - 2021: 23 / 26 - 2022: 18 / 21 - 2023: 19 / 23 - 2024: 25 / 26 - 2025: 12 / 14 - 2026: 3 / 3 ## Findings - [Rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): 93 cases, 80 in the probable cause - [Elevator control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730): 74 cases, 71 in the probable cause - [TE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): 74 cases, 61 in the probable cause - [Flight control system, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): 65 cases, 57 in the probable cause - [Aileron control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710): 45 cases, 41 in the probable cause - [Elevator tab control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731): 37 cases, 35 in the probable cause - [Control column section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701): 21 cases, 17 in the probable cause - [Gust lock or damper](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770): 14 cases, 14 in the probable cause - [Stabilizer control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022740): 13 cases, 11 in the probable cause - [Drag control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022760): 10 cases, 10 in the probable cause - [Rudder tab control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022721): 6 cases, 5 in the probable cause - [TE flap actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022752): 6 cases, 6 in the probable cause - [LE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022780): 3 cases, 3 in the probable cause - [Aileron tab control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022711): 2 cases, 2 in the probable cause - [TE flap position ind system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022751): 2 cases, 2 in the probable cause - [Rudder actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022722): 1 cases, 1 in the probable cause - [Stabilizer position ind system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022741): 1 cases, 1 in the probable cause - [Stabilizer actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022742): 1 cases, 0 in the probable cause - [Drag control actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022761): 1 cases, 1 in the probable cause - [Flight control sys wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022797): 1 cases, 1 in the probable cause ## Defining events in these cases - [Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333): 153 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 84 cases - [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 56 cases - [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 33 cases - [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 22 cases - [Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300): 22 cases - [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 21 cases - [Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092): 11 cases - [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 8 cases - [Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338): 7 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s): 7 cases - [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 7 cases - [Cirrus Design SR20](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr20): 6 cases - [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152): 6 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta): 5 cases - [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 5 cases - [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p): 5 cases - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 4 cases - [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12): 4 cases - [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac): 4 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 112 cases - [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 66 cases - [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 60 cases - [Preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510) (Personnel issues): 38 cases - [Installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035) (Personnel issues): 35 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 33 cases - [Pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022) (Aircraft): 29 cases - [Use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030) (Personnel issues): 26 cases - [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 26 cases - [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 25 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB WPR26LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA115), Mar 2, 2026: Mightyfly MF-100 (N258MF), Atwater, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: A control system anomaly, which resulted in the overload and failure of one of the propulsion motor systems during the transition from hover to forward flight. - [NTSB ERA26LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA130), Feb 27, 2026: Textron 680A (N519QS), Miami, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the blast fence during taxi to the runway for departure, and their inadequate inspection of the airplane after it contacted the blast… - [NTSB CEN26LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA092), Jan 7, 2026: Cessna 172 (N5136E), San Marcos, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to properly configure the elevator trim for the takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to follow… - [NTSB ENG26LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG26LA011), Nov 23, 2025: Bombardier CL-600-2C11 (N707EV), Hibbing, MN, incident, no damage. Probable cause: The elevator control restriction was caused by the failure of an elevator autopilot servo control cable which failed due to cyclic fatigue. The slack in the cable wrapped around the servo mount in… - [NTSB CEN26LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA033), Oct 30, 2025: Cessna 182H (N2040X), Lakeview, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach path during landing which resulted in a collision with terrain short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the improper flap position… - [NTSB ERA26LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA023), Oct 23, 2025: Cessna 152 (N95005), St. Augustine, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to properly set the elevator trim prior to takeoff, which resulted in her inability to effectively control the airplane’s pitch and a collision with trees at the end of… - [NTSB WPR26LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA029), Oct 18, 2025: Roderick James Willmore Kitfox S7 Supersport (N98RW), Kilgore, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the separation of the control stick grip. - [NTSB ERA26LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA009), Oct 4, 2025: Cessna 182H (N1998X), Smithfield, RI, substantial damage. Probable cause: Maintenance personnel’s improper rigging of the elevator trim system, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing was the maintenance personnel and pilot’s failure to perform adequate post… - [NTSB WPR25LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA283), Sep 17, 2025: Cessna 150F (N8047F), Rigby, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s improper flap position during takeoff, which resulted in degraded climb performance and a subsequent impact with a building. - [NTSB CEN25LA337](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA337), Aug 23, 2025: Bell OH-58A (N707EE), Caseville, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The front seat passenger’s inadvertent movement of the cyclic control resulting in a dynamic rollover after landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to leave the dual flight… NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted. Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1). NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names. --- 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.