# NTSB WPR26LA229: Ryan Navion, N4583K, Bismarck, MO, June 23, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 23, 2026, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Bismarck, MO - Coordinates: 37.758806, -90.616806 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7588&lon=-90.6168&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 17, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 203233 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203233/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203233 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA229 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to remove the maintenance spacer before takeoff, which resulted in restricted flight control movement and a loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane’s nose pitched up sharply and the airplane entered a steep climb. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain beyond the departure end of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. After the airplane came to rest, the pilot discovered that a plastic maintenance spacer, which had been used to hold the elevator in the up position during cleaning, remained installed on the control yoke shaft. The spacer restricted elevator control movement during takeoff, preventing the pilot from achieving normal flight control inputs and maintaining control of the airplane. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4583K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4583K), registered now, S/N NAV-4-1583, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION - Registry model: [Ryan NAVION](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion) (registry code 6150160) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV-4-1583 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 2629.4 - Engines: Continental E-225-4 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 2025 - Destination: MO9, Miller, MO - Airport: H57, Bismarck Memorial, runway 17, 2,005 × 49 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 30, 2025; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,260 total, 109 in this make and model, 1,204 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.24 inHg - Observed at: FAM, 9 nm away - METAR: METAR KFAM 231356Z AUTO 02004KT 10SM CLR 21/15 A3024 RMK AO2 SLP244 T02060150 $ ## 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 20260623007809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260623007809A), Jun 23, 2026: Ryan NAVION, Bismarck, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot disclosed leaving homemade gust lock on the pilot control yoke resulting in inability to effectively control the aircraft. ## Other investigations on N4583K (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 MKC67F0441](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0441), Jan 29, 1967: Navion A (N4583K), St.Marys, MO, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203233. 7.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 6.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20631489&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA229%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20631499&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photographs-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.