Bellanca 8KCAB accident near Rock Springs, Wyoming, October 21, 2020
On October 21, 2020 at about 8:32 pm local time, a 1976 Bellanca 8KCAB, registered N7654S, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Rock Springs, Wyoming (Southwest Wyoming Regional Air airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The separation of the control grip which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during takeoff, and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 21, 2020 · about 8:32 pm local time
- Place
- Rock Springs, Wyoming · Southwest Wyoming Regional Air · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 8KCAB, built 1976 · all 8KCABs on the register
- Registration
- N7654S · no longer on the register · serial 250-76
- 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 during takeoff, a gust of wind lifted the right wing and that his aileron control input did not respond. The pilot further stated that his control column grip separated and caused his right hand to become jammed between the column and the lower side of the instrument panel. The airplane nosed down when the grip came off completely. The right wing and right-side fuselage were substantially damaged.
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 takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Control column section › Damaged/degraded
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,500 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 21 in the last 30 days; 1,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 13, 2020
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,700 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 2, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-320 (piston); 1,080 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 29 knots, gusting 41
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 11,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from RKS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 20, 2021. 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 | Photos (Courtesy of Airplane Owner) | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.