# Elevator control system

- 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) › Elevator control system
- NTSB code: 01022730
- Cases: 74
- In the probable cause: 71
- Fatal cases: 16
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730

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

- 2008: 3 / 3
- 2009: 5 / 5
- 2010: 4 / 6
- 2011: 4 / 4
- 2012: 4 / 4
- 2013: 4 / 5
- 2014: 4 / 4
- 2015: 7 / 7
- 2016: 4 / 4
- 2017: 4 / 4
- 2019: 1 / 1
- 2020: 5 / 5
- 2021: 5 / 5
- 2022: 4 / 4
- 2023: 2 / 2
- 2024: 5 / 5
- 2025: 4 / 4
- 2026: 2 / 2

## Defining events in these cases

- [Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333): 45 cases
- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 9 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 4 cases
- [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 4 cases
- [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 3 cases
- [Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337): 2 cases
- [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 2 cases
- [Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510): 1 cases
- [Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338): 1 cases
- [Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12): 3 cases
- [Cessna 414](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414): 3 cases
- [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 2 cases
- [Centrair 101A](https://openairdocs.org/model/centrair-101a): 2 cases
- [Bombardier CL-600-2C11](https://openairdocs.org/model/bombardier-cl-600-2c11): 2 cases
- [WSK PZL Mielec M-18 DROMADER](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18-dromader): 1 cases
- [Rockwell International 112TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112tc): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022) (Aircraft): 14 cases
- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 12 cases
- [Installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035) (Personnel issues): 11 cases
- [Preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510) (Personnel issues): 10 cases
- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 7 cases
- [Angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042) (Aircraft): 6 cases
- [Scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520) (Personnel issues): 5 cases
- [Post maintenance inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515) (Personnel issues): 5 cases
- [Incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010) (Personnel issues): 5 cases
- [Lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030) (Personnel issues): 4 cases

## Newest cases

- [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 ERA25LA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA303), Aug 16, 2025: Centrair 101A (N99KG), Springfield, VT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to assemble the glider’s elevator control before takeoff.
- [NTSB ANC25LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA076), Jul 17, 2025: Cessna 180H (N91393), Gulkana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the left rudder assembly which resulted in a runway excursion and ground loop.
- [NTSB ERA25FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA185), Apr 24, 2025: MX Aircraft Tech PTY MXS (N530RH), Hampton, VA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A counterweight plug that loosened during the accident flight, jammed the elevator, and resulted in loss of control during landing.
- [NTSB ENG25LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG25LA009), Nov 20, 2024: Bombardier CL-600-2C11 (N501GJ), Dulles, VA, incident, no damage. Probable cause: The elevator control restriction was caused by the failure of the elevator autopilot servo control cable, which failed due to cyclic fatigue. The slack in the broken cable wrapped around the elevator…
- [NTSB CEN25LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA029), Oct 27, 2024: Cub Crafters Carbon CUB (N257ST), Ogallala, NE, destroyed. Probable cause: The improper installation of the elevator control cable hardware, which resulted in the separation of the elevator control cable and a loss of pitch control in flight.
- [NTSB DCA24LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24LA245), Jul 27, 2024: Boeing 737 (N853DN), Salt Lake City, UT, minor damage. Probable cause: Delta Air Lines flight 2046 flight crew's incorrect evaluation of the clearance between their airplane and Delta Air Lines flight 2046 as they turned onto a perpendicular taxiway.
- [NTSB ERA24LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA251), Jun 8, 2024: William Loren Noggle JA30 Superstol (N719LN), Tennille, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of elevator control during flight due to the elevator control rod and its hardware disconnecting from its installation area, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into trees and terrain.…

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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