# NTSB investigations: Elevator tab 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 ERA26LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA023.md): Cessna 152 · St. Augustine, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 23, 2025 · N95005 · Substantial damage
  > 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 the runway during initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA26LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA009.md): Cessna 182H · Smithfield, RI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 4, 2025 · N1998X · Substantial damage
  > 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 maintenance/preflight inspections.
- [NTSB ERA24FA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA371.md): Piper PA28R · Vergennes, VT · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 8, 2024 · N3757T · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR23LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA317.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Fullerton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2023 · N503JA · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the stabilator actuator from the stabilator tab, which resulted in pitch control surface flutter and structural damage.
- [NTSB ERA23LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA240.md): Cessna R182 · Macon, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 21, 2023 · N182LG · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to properly set the elevator trim before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN23LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA172.md): Piper PA-34-200 · Coldspring, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 3, 2023 · N28HE · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA21FA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA224.md): Piper PA-31P · Myrtle Beach, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 21, 2021 · N575BC · Destroyed
  > The 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 WPR20FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA072.md): Beech B36TC · Corona, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 22, 2020 · N36TT · Destroyed
  > The 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 GAA19CA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA246.md): Cessna 182 · Marion, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 5, 2019 · N96974 · Destroyed
  > The 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 GAA19CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA185.md): Rockwell S 2R · Hermiston, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 28, 2019 · N4250X · Substantial damage
  > The 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 GAA19CA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA011.md): Beech 55 · San Antonio, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 5, 2018 · N6674Y · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA18LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA191.md): Cessna 182 · Geneseo, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 2018 · N291CP · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA17LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA329.md): Cessna 402 · Nantucket, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 2017 · N836GW · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR17LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA180.md): Lockheed P2V 5F · Pocatello, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2017 · N410NA · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance 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 ERA16CA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA259.md): Hirn Associates Zodiac CH601XL · Hedgesville, WV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 17, 2016 · N650WP · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA16FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA043.md): Beech A36TC · Orlando, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2015 · N7FG · Destroyed
  > The 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 CEN15FA425](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA425.md): Cessna T310Q · Wichita, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 2015 · N301JA · Destroyed
  > The 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 ERA15LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA360.md): J. Schilling S-19 · East Falmouth, MA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 2015 · N8DV · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN15IA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15IA079.md): Cessna T182T · Cahokia, IL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 2014 · N93CL · No damage
  > The 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 ERA15IA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15IA008.md): Cessna S550 · Tampa, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2014 · N550AJ · No damage
  > The 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 ERA14CA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA335.md): Alexander Schleicher K 7 · Mocksville, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 6, 2014 · N9156 · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN14IA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14IA121.md): Cessna 680 · Wheeling, IL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jan 12, 2014 · N531RC · No damage
  > The 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 ERA13LA366](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA366.md): Interstate S-1B1 · Lititz, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2013 · N46336 · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA13IA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13IA267.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Tallahassee, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 2013 · N633TC · No damage
  > The failure of the elevator trim cable due to fatigue cracking, which resulted from maintenance personnel’s repeated inadequate inspection of the cable.
- [NTSB ERA13LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA052.md): Waller Charles R Rans S12-XL · Gordon, AL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2012 · N933CW · Substantial damage
  > A 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 CEN12IA554](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12IA554.md): Cessna 560XL · Des Moines, IA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2012 · N108EK · Minor damage
  > A 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 ERA12IA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12IA097.md): Cessna 560XL · Ocoee, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 2011 · N576CS · No damage
  > Water contamination in the pitch trim actuators.
- [NTSB WPR11LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA361.md): Beech 76 · Perris, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 2011 · N6718X · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN11IA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11IA286.md): Cessna 560XL · Abbeville, LA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2011 · N547CS · No damage
  > The pitch trim control cable failed due to fatigue, rendering the elevator trim inoperative.
- [NTSB ERA10CA425](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA425.md): Ryan Navion B · Fort Myers, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 16, 2010 · N5382K · Substantial damage
  > The binding of the trim wheel on the instrument panel and the pilot’s improper decision to depart with a known mechanical deficiency.
- [NTSB CEN10LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA052.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Saginaw, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2009 · N8297P · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN09IA578](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09IA578.md): Cessna 421 · Sugar Land, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Sep 4, 2009 · N2349S · Minor damage
  > The 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 WPR09LA343](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA343.md): Cessna U206G · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 2009 · N71BS · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA09LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA348.md): Aeronca 7AC · Fairmont, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 2009 · N7544E · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN09CA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA078.md): Cessna 172S · Waukesha, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 26, 2008 · N833SP · Substantial damage
  > The 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 DFW08LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA209.md): Evektor Aerotechnik Sportstar · St Charles, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2008 · N411EV · Substantial damage
  > The 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 DEN08CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA117.md): Cessna T182T · Omaha, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 13, 2008 · N2164Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper use of the elevator trim resulting in a nose low/hard landing.

## 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", '01022731'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731/cases

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