We use necessary cookies to make our website work. We'd also like to use optional cookies to understand how you use it, and to help us improve it.

For more information, please read our cookie policy.

UK Civil Aviation Regulations

These are published by the CAA on our UK Regulations pages. EU Regulations and EASA Access Guides published by EASA no longer apply in the UK. Our website and publications are being reviewed to update all references. Any references to EU law and EASA Access guides should be disregarded and where applicable the equivalent UK versions referred to instead.

Trim runaways

What pilots can do to prepare for a trim runaway incident

We would like to hear from you

The CAA is committed to improving how we deliver services, please help us by completing a short survey about your experiences today



Trim runaway was a possible scenario identified by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in a report into a 2017 Piper PA-31 fatal accident.

The pilot reported pitch control problems and diverted to Caernarfon Airport where the aircraft crashed on an attempted landing. The elevator trim was found in a significantly nose-down position.

You can read the full AAIB report in the AAIB March 2019 bulletin.

To help pilots prepare for a trim runaway we have produced a short guidance document called Handling a trim runaway (CAP 1774).

The short videos below explain the issue, how to deal with a runaway and what you can do now to make sure you're prepared for any incident.

News from UK Civil Aviation Authority

  1. SaxaVord Spaceport granted range licence by Civil Aviation Authority
    • Published on:
    • Category: News Item
  2. Range control licences: Giving space space
    • Published on:
    • Category: Blog Post
  3. Nearly half of consumers think airports and airlines are ready for their summer getaway
    • Published on:
    • Category: News Item