Event
During a preflight check prior to takeoff, the pilot verified full travel of the flight controls. Upon initiating the takeoff roll and applying back pressure on the elevator control, the pilot found that the control would only move about 1 inch. The takeoff was aborted without further incident.
Investigation Findings
Post-incident examination of the aircraft revealed that a ribbon wire, part number 1570308-1, used for the control yoke electrical switches, had become jammed under the control column bearings, restricting yoke movement. An excessive amount of slack in the wire was noted.
The aircraft involved was a 1974 Cessna T2101 with registration N21YF. A Cessna Service Letter, SE79-26, addressed this problem for 1978 and 1979 Cessna 210 and P210 models but was not applicable to earlier models. Starting in 1980, guides were installed at the factory to prevent such jams.
When removed, the ribbon wire measured 33 feet in length and was split for use in the 1974 aircraft. The replacement ribbon wire was 45 feet long, not split, and was designed for use in several Cessna aircraft models. The service manual provided no installation instructions beyond a diagram.