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WPR21LA024

2020-10-21 · Rock Springs, Wyoming, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport KRKS

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The separation of the control grip which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during takeoff, and collision with terrain.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff, a gust of wind lifted the right wing and that his aileron control input did not respond. The pilot further stated that his control column grip separated and caused his right hand to become jammed between the column and the lower side of the instrument panel. The airplane nosed down when the grip came off completely. The right wing and right-side fuselage were substantially damaged. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Attain/maintain not possible
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-Control column section-Damaged/degraded

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2020_WPR21LA024.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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