Rockwell International 114 accident near Sturgis, Michigan, April 19, 2014
On April 19, 2014 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 1977 Rockwell International 114, registered N4890W, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Sturgis, Michigan (Kirsch Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A cracked nose landing gear pulley, which resulted in the binding of the nosewheel steering system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 19, 2014 · about 7:00 pm local time · cases in 2014
- Place
- Sturgis, Michigan · Kirsch Municipal Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell International 114, built 1977 · all 114s on the register
- Registration
- N4890W · no longer on the register · serial 14220
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, due to a right crosswind, he applied full left rudder and right aileron during the approach for landing. When the nose landing gear touched down on the runway, the airplane immediately veered to the left. The pilot applied full right rudder and right brake to no effect. The airplane veered off the runway and the nose gear hit a hole, which resulted in the right wing impacting the terrain. The examination of the nose landing gear steering system revealed that one of the pulleys on the right side of the nose landing gear was cracked and would not turn. Further examination revealed that it was possible for the steering cable to bind in the crack of the pulley and not allow the nose gear to move.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Dragged wing/rotor/float/other during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear steering system › Malfunction other cases naming the landing gear
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear steering system › Fatigue/wear/corrosion other cases naming the landing gear
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,651 hours in all; 1,538 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 25, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,316 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 15, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 3,140 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-T4B5D (piston); 2,316 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RCR Rochester IN at 6:30 pm
- Destination: IRS Sturgis MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 06, 3,601 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 6 knots, gusting 9
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.35 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from IRS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 13, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Illustrated Parts Catalog - Commander Aircraft | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo 1. View of Damage to Right Wing | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo 2. View of Nose Wheel | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 3. View of Cracked Pulley | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N4890W: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Rockwell International 114 207 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Rockwell International 657 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-T4B5D 4,223 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Kirsch Municipal · nearest airport
- Fulton County · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Michigan 2,107 since 1982 · 230 in the last ten years
- Michigan 7,236 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN14LA210.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.