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Casualties unknown

Airplane Veers Off Runway During Takeoff Due to Forgotten Gust Lock (N5435L)

Boulder City, NV, US

On December 30, 2005, a Grumman AA-5 (registration N5435L) was involved in an aviation accident near Boulder City, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot forgot to remove the flight control's gust lock prior to takeoff. 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

During takeoff, a pilot could not raise the nose and discovered the gust lock was still engaged. The airplane veered left off the runway into terrain and sustained damage.

Sequence of Events

The pilot completed a preflight through the "ready to taxi" checklist. While taxiing, he observed a large seaplane take off, followed by a Cessna departing ahead of him. During the ground roll, the pilot attempted to rotate at 60 mph but was unable to raise the nose. He then realized he had forgotten to remove the flight control gust lock before takeoff. The airplane subsequently veered off the left side of the runway and encountered terrain.

Contributing Factors

The pilot noted that a portable GPS mounted to the yoke obstructed his view of the gust lock and access to it, which likely contributed to the omission.

Damage

The airplane sustained damage when it encountered terrain after veering off the runway.

Probable cause

The pilot forgot to remove the flight control's gust lock prior to takeoff.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Dec 2005 Grumman AA-5 accident near Boulder City, NV?

During takeoff, a pilot could not raise the nose and discovered the gust lock was still engaged. The airplane veered left off the runway into terrain and sustained damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Dec 2005 involved a Grumman AA-5, registration N5435L, at Boulder City, NV.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot forgot to remove the flight control's gust lock prior to takeoff.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20060512X00567. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.