On September 16, 1983, a Piper PA-18 (registration N1363A) was involved in an aviation accident near Aniak, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The dislodgement of the control stick from its mounting during takeoff, which resulted from the failure of the retaining pin at the base of the control stick to remain in place. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft control stick dislodged during takeoff due to a missing retaining pin, causing the plane to crash from low altitude.
What happened
The aircraft experienced a critical failure during the initial phase of flight. According to the owner of the aircraft, the control stick became detached from its mounting while the plane was taking off. The dislodgement occurred because the retaining pin located at the base of the control stick had come out of place. This mechanical failure caused the control stick to fall out of its housing, leaving the pilot without proper control authority.
The aircraft subsequently crashed from an altitude of approximately 5 feet above ground level (AGL). The retaining pin that had failed was recovered after the accident occurred. The pilot did not file an official accident report following the event.
Probable cause
The dislodgement of the control stick from its mounting during takeoff, which resulted from the failure of the retaining pin at the base of the control stick to remain in place.
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