# Control column section

- Type: NTSB finding subsection
- Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft systems](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0102) › [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010227) › Control column section
- NTSB code: 01022701
- Cases: 21
- In the probable cause: 17
- Fatal cases: 5
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 1 / 1
- 2010: 2 / 2
- 2013: 1 / 2
- 2014: 2 / 2
- 2015: 1 / 1
- 2017: 2 / 2
- 2018: 1 / 1
- 2019: 1 / 2
- 2020: 1 / 2
- 2021: 3 / 3
- 2024: 1 / 1
- 2025: 1 / 2

## Defining events in these cases

- [Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333): 9 cases
- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 5 cases
- [Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338): 2 cases
- [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 2 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 1 cases
- [Mast bumping](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/245): 1 cases
- [Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18): 3 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta): 2 cases
- [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 1 cases
- [Cub Crafters CC18-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cub-crafters-cc18-180): 1 cases
- [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b): 1 cases
- [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab): 1 cases
- [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a): 1 cases
- [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b): 1 cases
- [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 4 cases
- [Installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035) (Personnel issues): 3 cases
- [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 3 cases
- [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 3 cases
- [Scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520) (Personnel issues): 2 cases
- [Preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510) (Personnel issues): 2 cases
- [Identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510) (Personnel issues): 2 cases
- [Knowledge of equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015) (Personnel issues): 2 cases
- [Lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023) (Aircraft): 2 cases
- [Pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022) (Aircraft): 2 cases

## Newest cases

- [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 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 ANC25LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA008), Nov 2, 2024: Cub Crafters CC18-180 (N55PK), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The incorrect installation of the rear flight control stick, resulting in the pilot’s inability to control the pitch attitude, coupled with the pilot’s inadequate control system check before…
- [NTSB ANC21LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA075), Aug 10, 2021: Piper PA-18 (N1264A), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The malfunction of the control stick during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR21LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA238), Jun 20, 2021: Piper PA-25-235 (N6917Z), Twisp, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight separation of the control stick from the torque tube assembly, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll and subsequent on-ground collision.
- [NTSB ERA21LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA131), Feb 10, 2021: Piper PA-18 (N8183C), Lake Placid, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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 WPR21LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA024), Oct 21, 2020: Bellanca 8KCAB (N7654S), Rock Springs, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The separation of the control grip which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during takeoff, and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA259), Jul 3, 2020: Sopwith Type 9400 (N5539), Van Alstyne, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: An inflight loss of aileron control due to movement of a control connector.
- [NTSB WPR20LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA026), Nov 16, 2019: Piper PA 18 (N8589D), Livermore, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper installation of the flight control stick, which resulted in separation of the flight control stick from the stick stub assembly and an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR19FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA109), Apr 16, 2019: Bell 206 (N61PH), Fort McDowell, AZ, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The separation of the main rotor head from the mast as a result of a sudden displacement of the cyclic stick during a low-G maneuver, leading to mast bumping. Contributing to the accident were the…

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.

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