# NTSB CEN26LA295: Aviat A-1B, N299CA, Pilot Grove, MN, August 17, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: August 17, 2026, 14:46 local (19:46 UTC)
- Place: Pilot Grove, MN · 43.561531
94.255844
- Coordinates: 43.561531, -94.255844
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5615&lon=-94.2558&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA295
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA295

## Preliminary report

On August 17, 2026, about 1446 central daylight time, an Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B airplane, N299CA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pilot Grove, Minnesota. The two pilots received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial photography flight. The pilot in the rear seat stated they were conducting an aerial photography flight and had flown for about 5 ½ hours that day. During the flight, the front seat pilot was manipulating the flight controls and noted that the airplane was not responding normally. They observed that the left aileron had partially detached from the wing and the outboard end was hanging down. The front seat pilot executed an emergency landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left outboard aileron hinge bracket was fractured. The airplane was retained for further examination. A review of NTSB records revealed that the airplane was involved in a similar accident in 2017 involving an inflight failure of the left outboard aileron hinge bracket assembly.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N299CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N299CA), registered now, S/N 2294, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B
- Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2294
- Year built: 2005
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Scenic Concepts LLC
- Registered owner: Scenic Concepts LLC
- Departed: SPW, Spencer, IA
- Destination: LSE, La Crosse, WI
- Airport: UKN

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KFRM, 9 nm away
- METAR: METAR KFRM 171956Z AUTO 20008KT 10SM CLR 26/14 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP187 T02610144

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20260817011229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260817011229A), Aug 17, 2026: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B, Pilot Grove, MN, Substantial damage. The Pilot and photographer flew approximately four hours then landed for a break. One hour into the second flight the left aileron detached at the outer…

## Other investigations on N299CA (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN17LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA344), Sep 9, 2017: Aviat A 1B (N299CA), Prairie du Chien, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure of the aileron hinge bracket tubing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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