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The article describes an aircraft accident report which include National transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determining the probable cause of the accident being the inflight separation of the vertical stabilizer Topics include Commercial airlines recognizing the tendency in the Boeing 707 and adopting yaw dampers; and the Air Force investigation being determined the aircraft being still in a flyable condition when the pilot applied and varied left rudder pressure.

The article discusses the author's experience regarding one of his aviation flights. He had been assigned to fly with the two newest members of their command. He knew the mission had increased risks, mainly flying without much sleep. The night was unusually quiet as they walked to the jet for the departure. All indications were normal. After the aircraft's wheels reached the deck edge, he felt like they were taking an elevator-down. He could see whitecaps crashing. However, they quickly learned just how close they had come to hitting the water. The boss gave a detailed lecture over the radio on how to properly rotate a Viking off the cat shot. It was only through communication, that they were, finally able to save their lives.

Discusses the Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crash into the Pacific Ocean in February 2000. Investigation into the MD-83 airplane accident focusing on a problem with the stabilizer that controls the pitch of the aircraft; Details of how the pilots tried to fix the mechanism; Charges that company employees falsified maintenance records.

The article discusses trim tabs, features of an airplane's horizontal control system, or elevator, that allows the pilot to keep an aircraft at a stable altitude. The article examines how trim tabs contribute to the climb and descent of airplanes, describes their impact on airflow and the airplane's speed, and mentions instances of failures of trim tabs that have contributed to airplane accidents.

The article reports that a fatal crash of a B-52H Stratofortress jet bomber in July 2008 was caused by malfunctioning parts and late recognition of spiraling problems, according to an accident investigation board of the U.S. Air Force. The incident killed all six airmen onboard. Investigators concluded that the problem parts were the rear stabilizers of the plane. Among those who died were pilot Major Chris Cooper and co-pilot Captain Michael Dodson.

Discusses the failure of a Chinese-made horizontal stabilizer believed to be the cause of Alaska Airlines MD-83 crash on January 2000. How radio host Chuck Harder described the media reaction on the cause of the accident; Implication of the incident on national security; Warning of a 1992 government quality report on counterfeit bolts and circuit breakers.

Reports on the possible significance of the aircraft elevator system to the crash of an Air Midwest Beech 1900D airplane in South Carolina on January 8, 2003. Background on the airplane's elevator control systems; Details of the accident; Number of casualties of the accident.