No fatalities

PIPER PA22 150 accident at Cortland, NY, 13 Jul 2020

Cortland, NY, United States

On July 13, 2020, a PIPER PA22 150 was involved in an aviation accident near Cortland, NY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The mechanic’s incorrect rigging of the aileron control cables, which resulted in a reversal of aileron control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The mechanic’s incorrect rigging of the aileron control cables, which resulted in a reversal of aileron control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff. Also causal was the mechanic’s inadequate post-maintenance inspection and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and before takeoff check, which failed to detect the misrigging.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Incorrect service/maintenanceMaintenance personnelPilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Jul 2020 PIPER PA22 150 accident near Cortland, NY?

The mechanic’s incorrect rigging of the aileron control cables, which resulted in a reversal of aileron control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff. Also causal was the mechanic’s inadequate post-maintenance inspection and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and before takeoff check, which failed…

Were there any fatalities in the 13 Jul 2020 PIPER PA22 150 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Jul 2020 involved a PIPER PA22 150, at Cortland, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The mechanic’s incorrect rigging of the aileron control cables, which resulted in a reversal of aileron control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff. Also causal was the mechanic’s inadequate post-maintenance inspection and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and before takeoff check, which failed…