Real Pilot Story: Lost Elevator - Air Safety Institute 'I heard a pop, pulled back on the yoke, and notice the airplane's attitude didn't change, and at that point I knew I was going to be landing somewhere.' Rob Olsen-Drye was cruising at 1,300' MSL when he lost elevator authority. Luckily among the tall Alaskan forest there was a narrow road within gliding distance. With no way to adjust his AOA he landed hard, pancaking his Pacer’s gear, effectively totaling the aircraft, but he managed to walk away. Join the AOPA Air Safety Institute as they uncover what happened and how he's ensuring it doesn't happen again.