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Casualties unknown

Flight Control Malfunction Leads to Runway Excursion (N617GA)

Monroe, MI, US

On May 12, 1998, a Dassault DA-20 (registration N617GA) was involved in an aviation accident near Monroe, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot-in-command's inability to rotate during takeoff due to restricted movement of the elevator controls for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot aborted takeoff after the yoke would not move at rotation speed. The aircraft departed the runway into a field. Post-incident examination found no flight control failures.

Event Details

The pilot-in-command reported that during the preflight and before takeoff checks, the flight controls operated freely. After applying takeoff power and reaching Vr (125 knots), the pilot attempted to rotate the aircraft by pulling back on the yoke. The yoke would not move. The pilot stated that he tried to pull back three times without success. The takeoff was aborted, and the airplane subsequently traveled off the end of the runway, coming to rest in a field.

Examination

An examination of the airplane was conducted following the incident. The inspection did not reveal any failure or malfunction that would have prevented normal operation of the flight controls.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10011. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.