No fatalities

BELLANCA 8KCAB accident at Rock Springs, WY, 21 Oct 2020

Rock Springs, WY, United States

On October 21, 2020, a BELLANCA 8KCAB operated by Robert Jean Otey was involved in an aviation accident near Rock Springs, WY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The separation of the control grip which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during takeoff, and collision with terrain. 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 separation of the control grip which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during takeoff, and collision with terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Attain/maintain not possibleDamaged/degraded

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Oct 2020 BELLANCA 8KCAB accident near Rock Springs, WY?

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

Were there any fatalities in the 21 Oct 2020 BELLANCA 8KCAB accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Oct 2020 involved a BELLANCA 8KCAB, operated by Robert Jean Otey, at Rock Springs, WY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

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