# NTSB investigations: Aileron control system

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 ERA25FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA082.md): Cessna 172 · Cintrona, PR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 20, 2024 · N22088 · Destroyed
  > Maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the airplane, which resulted in inflight the failure of the right aileron carry through cable due to wear, reduced effectiveness of the airplane’s ailerons, and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR24FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA182.md): Vans RV-12 · Auburn, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 6, 2024 · N412JN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper installation of the control stick pushrod assemblies, which resulted in separation of the left pushrod and a total loss of roll control during flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure to detect the installation error during…
- [NTSB WPR24LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA175.md): Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby Murphy Rebel · Edgewood, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 4, 2024 · N79ZT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper installation of the aileron and flap control systems, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the takeoff roll and subsequent runway excursion.
- [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 WPR22FA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA361.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-5B · Sahuarita, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 28, 2022 · N74349 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control following a separation of the aileron carry-through cable.
- [NTSB ERA22LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA167.md): Cessna 172P · Winder, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 25, 2022 · N62283 · Destroyed
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to detect the damaged aileron cable during the most recent inspections, which resulted in the separation of the aileron control cable and subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA20CA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA246.md): Piper PA22 · Cortland, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 13, 2020 · N2716P · Substantial damage
  > The mechanic’s incorrect rigging of the aileron control cables, which resulted in a reversal of aileron control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff. Also causal was the mechanic’s inadequate post-maintenance inspection and the pilot's inadequate…
- [NTSB CEN20LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA259.md): Sopwith Type 9400 · Van Alstyne, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 3, 2020 · N5539 · Substantial damage
  > An inflight loss of aileron control due to movement of a control connector.
- [NTSB ERA20CA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA232.md): Ayres S2R · Perry, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2020 · N4032L · Substantial damage
  > The reported malfunction of the aileron flight control system during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA20CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA168.md): Dayton-Wright DH-4 · Bowling Green, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 2, 2020 · N32517 · Substantial damage
  > A primary control (aileron) system anomaly that progressively worsened during a test flight that resulted in a loss of control. The reason for the anomaly was not determined due to impact damage.
- [NTSB WPR20LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA135.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Hemet, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 30, 2020 · N6521Y · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly inspect and replace damaged aileron control cables, which resulted in fatigue separation of the aileron control cable and loss of control of the aircraft.
- [NTSB CEN19LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA219.md): Fisher Flying Products Super Koala · Hazen, ND · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 6, 2019 · N220FF · Substantial damage
  > The airplane owner's and mechanic's improper rigging and cable tension of the aileron control system, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN19LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA133.md): Cirrus SR20 · Mineral Wells, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2019 · N8160C · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight separation of the right aileron when the inboard hinge bolt disengaged from its nut plate due to excessively twisted safety wire, which resulted in a torsional overstress fracture that caused the inboard hinge bolt to become unsecured.
- [NTSB WPR19LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA114.md): Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 15, 2019 · N101GL · Substantial damage
  > The fracture of the aileron hinge strap due to fatigue crack propagation, which resulted in substantial damage to a wing rib aft of the spar at the outboard aileron cutout. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance inspection.
- [NTSB CEN18LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA195.md): Cirrus Design SR20 · Katy, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 27, 2018 · N67Y · Substantial damage
  > The loss of airplane control on takeoff due to the absence of the attachment bolt for the left aileron actuation arm.
- [NTSB WPR18FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA026.md): Piper PA 18-150 · Murphy, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 3, 2017 · N4393Z · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the left aileron control cable that resulted in a loss of aircraft control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance inspections to the aileron cable connections.
- [NTSB CEN17LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA344.md): Aviat A 1B · Prairie du Chien, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2017 · N299CA · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of the aileron hinge bracket tubing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR17LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA164.md): Piper PA 28R-180 · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2017 · N4594J · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's incorrect installation of the aileron control cables and subsequent failure to verify proper aileron functionality following the maintenance, which resulted in roll control that was opposite of that commanded by the pilot, and the…
- [NTSB WPR17FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA161.md): Applegate Panzl S331E · Apple Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2017 · N331ST · Substantial damage
  > A fatigue failure of the left aileron control rod end during aerobatic flight, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane.
- [NTSB WPR17LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA087.md): Titan Tornado I · Spanaway, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2017 · N5131H · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s improper attachment of the aileron system components, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain flight control.
- [NTSB CEN16LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA332.md): Piper PA 25-235 · Miller, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2016 · N6542Z · Substantial damage
  > The mechanic's improper installation of the left aileron swage fitting, which resulted in an inflight loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN16IA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16IA103.md): Cessna 560 · Dallas, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 2016 · N774SB · No damage
  > The loss of aileron trim due to the lack of separation between the cannon head on the back of autopilot cannon plug and the aileron trim tab control gear. Contributing to the incident was the lack of guidance in the airplane maintenance manual to verify…
- [NTSB CEN15LA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA367.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Wiville, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2015 · N3070R · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a utility pole while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in damage to the right aileron and a subsequent uncontrolled right roll at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN15LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA182.md): Air Tractor AT 400 · Levelland, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 2015 · N136DB · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight separation of the left aileron's attachment hardware at the connection between the long aileron pushrod and the left aileron bellcrank. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s improper installation of, or failure to install, the…
- [NTSB CEN13LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA168.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Forrest City, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 7, 2013 · N198LA · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight separation of the left aileron's push-pull rod and hardware. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to apply proper torque to the self-locking nuts.
- [NTSB CEN13CA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA108.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Okaton, SD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 11, 2012 · N3471Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to perform an adequate preflight inspection of the airplane and obstruction of the aileron control system by snow and ice, which led to a loss of control during flight.
- [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 WPR13CA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA018.md): Albright Stan Kitfox Super Sport · Twin Bridges, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 18, 2012 · N960WM · Substantial damage
  > The airplane builder’s failure to rig the flight controls correctly, which resulted in a loss of control after takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR12LA428](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA428.md): Rockwell International 690A · Ellensburg, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2012 · N57112 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to avoid a turbulent smoke column, which resulted in an overstress failure of the left aileron control rod.
- [NTSB ERA12FA484](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA484.md): Cessna 172M · San Juan, PR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2012 · N73115 · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s improper lubrication of the right direct aileron control cable and failure to detect the severe corrosion of the cable during a maintenance inspection, which resulted in the in-flight failure of the cable, the pilot’s subsequent…
- [NTSB CEN11LA588](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA588.md): Hendryx Steve/Wiley Ross Super Rebel · La Porte City, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2011 · N540AF · Substantial damage
  > The improper assembly of the aileron cable by the airplane builder.
- [NTSB CEN11LA459](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA459.md): Wingtip To Wingtip Panzl S-330 · Battle Creek, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2011 · N330JK · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate aileron hinge design, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the left aileron following a fatigue failure of the center hinge rod-end.
- [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 ERA11LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA033.md): Rockwell International 112TC · Waynesboro, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2010 · N1154J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s deliberate exiting of the airplane by parachute while in flight following a reported flight control malfunction that could not be verified.
- [NTSB WPR10CA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA398.md): Kirkpatrick Buzzard · Lincoln, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2010 · N84BS · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control due to the mechanical disconnection of an aileron pushrod from its bellcrank as a result of the mechanic's failure to properly secure the pushrod attach hardware. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
- [NTSB CEN10IA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10IA453.md): Piper PA-32R-301T · Mount Pleasant, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2010 · N4184X · No damage
  > The failure of an aileron control cable due to a seized idler pulley bearing.
- [NTSB CEN10IA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10IA219.md): Bombardier CL-600-2C10 · Kansas City, MO · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 2010 · N160GJ · No damage
  > The malfunction of the airplane’s aileron control system due to ice accumulation.
- [NTSB CEN09LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA183.md): Cessna 182 · Kelleys Island, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 2009 · N3710D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusty winds due to inadequate aileron cable tension.
- [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 CHI08LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08LA169.md): Morrison E-Racer · Aurora, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2008 · N345JM · Destroyed
  > An undetermined failure in the high-pressure fuel system, and the subsequent loss of engine power and in-flight fire. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's restricted visibility due to the smoke in the cockpit, failure of the aileron control during…
- [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.
- [NTSB SEA08CA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA122.md): Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-4M · Ephrata, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 4, 2008 · N747JN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to connect the left aileron control rod during assembly.
- [NTSB LAX08CA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA119.md): Carlson Quickie Q2 · Casper, WY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 19, 2008 · N39425 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of directional control on landing due to the separation of the wing leveler trim knob and resulting reduced aileron control.
- [NTSB ANC08CA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA043.md): Stinson 108 · Chugiak, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 14, 2008 · N6827M · Substantial damage
  > The reversal of the aileron control cables by maintenance personnel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

## 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."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '01022710'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710/cases

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