FTW01LA159

Factual narrative

On July 4, 2001, at 1115 central daylight time, a GLOVER RV-8, homebuilt experimental airplane, N50FG, was destroyed during an aborted takeoff from the Mineral Wells Municipal Airport, near Mineral Wells, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originally departed Granbury, Texas, approximately 1040. At the time of the accident, the flight was departing Mineral Wells for the return flight to Granbury. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on runway 31, he was unable to move the control stick back to the neutral "takeoff" position. After realizing the control was jammed forward, the pilot closed the throttle and attempted to maintain directional control with the brakes. The pilot was not able to free the elevator control stick. The pilot felt that he did not have sufficient runway to stop the airplane on runway 31; therefore, he turned the airplane to the left onto runway 17. Approximately 2/3 of the way through the turn, the "west wind lifted the left wing and the right wing struck the ground." The airplane rotated back to the right coming to rest on the approach end of runway 17. Fire was immediately noticed, the pilot opened the canopy, and the airplane was evacuated. The airplane was consumed by fire. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that the "control stick grip lodged behind [the] instrument panel on takeoff. The pilot recommended a "more secure attachment of [the] control stick grip and redesigned travel of [the] control stick so that [the] stick will not travel under instrument panel." At 1053, the weather observation facility at Mineral Wells reported the wind from 260 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. During the takeoff roll, the pilot was unable to move the control stick back to the neutral "takeoff" position. After realizing the control was jammed forward, the pilot closed the throttle and attempted to maintain directional control with the brakes. The pilot was not able to free the elevator control stick. The pilot felt that he did not have sufficient runway to stop the airplane on the departure runway; therefore, he turned the airplane to the left onto another runway. Approximately 2/3 of the way through the turn, the "west wind lifted the left wing and the right wing struck the ground." The airplane rotated back to the right coming to rest on the approach end of the runway. Fire was immediately noticed, the pilot opened the canopy, and the airplane was evacuated. The airplane was consumed by fire. The pilot stated that the "control stick grip lodged behind [the] instrument panel on takeoff." The pilot recommended a "more secure attachment of [the] control stick grip and redesigned travel of [the] control stick so that [the] stick will not travel under instrument panel." The weather observation facility reported the wind from 260 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12