Probable cause
The pilot's failure to remove the gust lock prior to takeoff.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, she did not perform a flight control check prior to takeoff. During the departure roll, when the airplane reached 70 miles per hour, she realized that the gust lock was still installed in the control column. She attempted to remove the device, but was unsuccessful. She reduced the engine power in an attempt to stop the airplane, but it continued off the end of the runway; the nose gear separated, and it came to rest in a dirt field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and right wing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA066 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 26, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Coalinga, California
- Nearest airport
- Harris Ranch (3O8)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5B
- N-number
- N74400
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.