NTSB investigations
37 cases where NTSB found Elevator tab control system.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 3 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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\", '01022731')) ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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", '01022731')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB ERA26LA023Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · St. Augustine, FLThe 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 the runway during initial climb.NTSB ERA26LA009Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182H · Smithfield, RIMaintenance 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 maintenance/preflight inspections.NTSB ERA24FA371Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28R · Vergennes, VTThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to properly…NTSB WPR23LA317Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Fullerton, CAThe separation of the stabilator actuator from the stabilator tab, which resulted in pitch control surface flutter and structural damage.NTSB ERA23LA240Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna R182 · Macon, NCThe pilot’s failure to properly set the elevator trim before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.NTSB CEN23LA172Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Coldspring, TXThe stabilator trim rod assembly separated from the stabilator link assembly due to a missing connecting bolt, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain pitch control of the airplane.NTSB ERA21FA224Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Myrtle Beach, SCThe mechanic’s inadvertent installation of the elevator trim tabs in reverse, which resulted in the pitch trim system operating opposite of the pilot’s input and the pilot’s subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR20FA072Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech B36TC · Corona, CAThe pilots’ failure to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a fence at the end of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the airplane being at or over the maximum gross takeoff weight and the inappropriate elevator trim tab setting.NTSB GAA19CA246Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Marion, INThe pilot's improper trim setting and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB GAA19CA185Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRockwell S 2R · Hermiston, ORThe pilot's distraction due to a spray handle opening and his improper pitch trim setting during final approach, which resulted in an excessive pitchdown when he took his hand off the controls to close the handle.NTSB GAA19CA011Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech 55 · San Antonio, TXThe pilot's improper takeoff trim setting and failure to properly secure his seatbelt, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the Before Takeoff checklist.NTSB ERA18LA191Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Geneseo, NYThe pilot's failure to properly set the elevator trim before takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow…NTSB ERA17LA329Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 402 · Nantucket, MAThe separation of the pushrod from the elevator trim tab actuator, which rendered controlled flight impossible. Contributing to the separation of the pushrod was the failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure it to the elevator trim tab actuator.NTSB WPR17LA180Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLockheed P2V 5F · Pocatello, IDMaintenance personnel's failure to secure hardware, which resulted in an uncommanded upward deflection of the left elevator and aft movement of the control yoke and inhibited the flight crew from adjusting the airplane's pitch attitude in flight. Contributing…NTSB ERA16CA259Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHirn Associates Zodiac CH601XL · Hedgesville, WVThe pilot’s inadvertent activation of the elevator trim, which resulted in a premature takeoff and subsequent loss of airplane control and collision with trees.NTSB ERA16FA043Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Orlando, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning to join the final approach leg of the airport traffic pattern with full airplane-nose-up trim, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an…NTSB CEN15FA425Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T310Q · Wichita, KSThe separation of the attachment hardware connecting the elevator trim tab pushrod to the elevator trim actuator, which resulted in the elevator trim tab jamming in a position outside the limits of normal travel and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA15LA360Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJ. Schilling S-19 · East Falmouth, MAThe experimental airplane builder's failure to properly secure the stabilator trim tab push-pull tube’s connection, which resulted in the tube’s separation and a subsequent hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner's failure to detect the…NTSB CEN15IA079Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna T182T · Cahokia, ILThe mechanic’s improper installation of the elevator trim actuator, which resulted in reversed elevator trim control, and his subsequent failure to detect the misrigging of the elevator cables during the postmaintenance inspection.NTSB ERA15IA008Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna S550 · Tampa, FLThe 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 ERA14CA335Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAlexander Schleicher K 7 · Mocksville, NCThe pilot's decision to install an additional cushion to elevate his passenger and his failure to insure the cushion would not interfere with the control stick movement resulting in limited movement of the elevator in flight and collision with a fence during…NTSB CEN14IA121Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 680 · Wheeling, ILThe disconnection of the left elevator trim driveshaft from the trim actuator due to the elevator trim tab drive pin becoming dislodged, which resulted in full nose-down elevator trim.NTSB ERA13LA366Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportInterstate S-1B1 · Lititz, PAThe pilot’s failure to control the airplane’s pitch attitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the initial takeoff climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to set the trim in accordance with the pretakeoff checklist and the…NTSB ERA13IA267Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Tallahassee, FLThe failure of the elevator trim cable due to fatigue cracking, which resulted from maintenance personnel’s repeated inadequate inspection of the cable.NTSB ERA13LA052Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWaller Charles R Rans S12-XL · Gordon, ALA fatigue failure of the elevator pitch trim cable, which resulted in aerodynamic flutter of the elevator in flight and the airplane’s subsequent nose-over during the resultant precautionary landing.NTSB CEN12IA554Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 560XL · Des Moines, IAA temporary loss of control during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postincident examination of the autopilot, pitch trim systems, and horizontal stabilizer revealed no anomalies consistent with a loss of control.NTSB ERA12IA097Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 560XL · Ocoee, FLWater contamination in the pitch trim actuators.NTSB WPR11LA361Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Perris, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and the resulting encounter with an aerodynamic stall. Also causal were the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and preflight inspection, his failure to ensure the pitch trim was positioned correctly for…NTSB CEN11IA286Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 560XL · Abbeville, LAThe pitch trim control cable failed due to fatigue, rendering the elevator trim inoperative.NTSB ERA10CA425Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRyan Navion B · Fort Myers, FLThe binding of the trim wheel on the instrument panel and the pilot’s improper decision to depart with a known mechanical deficiency.NTSB CEN10LA052Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Saginaw, TXThe pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane due to a pinched trim system wire that resulted in a runaway nose-down pitch trim.NTSB CEN09IA578Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Sugar Land, TXThe improper installation of the pitch trim cable which resulted in it making improper contact with a guard pin that led to the fatigue failure of the cable.NTSB WPR09LA343Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees while taking off in a high-density altitude. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to perform pre-takeoff performance calculations, his positioning of the elevator trim in a nose-down…NTSB ERA09LA348Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Fairmont, WVThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate use of the checklist.NTSB CEN09CA078Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Waukesha, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff and his failure to ensure that the elevator trim was properly set before takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of autopilot system knowledge.NTSB DFW08LA209Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEvektor Aerotechnik Sportstar · St Charles, MOThe student pilot's failure to maintain control due to his task saturation as a result of his failure to set the pitch trim to the neutral position before takeoff.NTSB DEN08CA117Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna T182T · Omaha, NEThe pilot's improper use of the elevator trim resulting in a nose low/hard landing.