On June 1, 1985, a Cessna T210 (registration N6787R) was involved in an aviation accident near Marion, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The jamming of the elevator controls due to an autopilot adapter flange (recently installed to the back of the pilot's attitude indicator) being positioned to catch the elevator secondary stop on the pilot's control column. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Following takeoff, an aircraft's elevator controls jammed due to an autopilot adapter flange interfering with the elevator secondary stop. The pilot landed using trim and power but could not flare, causing the nose gear to break off during landing.
Accident Details
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot discovered that the elevator controls were jammed. Pitch changes could only be achieved using elevator trim and power adjustments. An emergency landing was performed using trim alone, but the pilot was unable to flare the aircraft at landing speed. During touchdown, the nose gear struck the runway and was broken off.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident inspection revealed that an autopilot adapter flange had been recently installed to the back of the pilot's attitude indicator. This flange was positioned such that it could catch the elevator secondary stop on the pilot's control column, restricting elevator movement. Although the elevator control could have been freed by applying a large force, the jam prevented normal operation during the approach and landing.
Probable cause
The jamming of the elevator controls due to an autopilot adapter flange (recently installed to the back of the pilot's attitude indicator) being positioned to catch the elevator secondary stop on the pilot's control column.
What happened in the 1 Jun 1985 Cessna T210 accident near Marion, IN?
Following takeoff, an aircraft's elevator controls jammed due to an autopilot adapter flange interfering with the elevator secondary stop. The pilot landed using trim and power but could not flare, causing the nose gear to break off during landing.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 1 Jun 1985 involved a Cessna T210, registration N6787R, at Marion, IN.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The jamming of the elevator controls due to an autopilot adapter flange (recently installed to the back of the pilot's attitude indicator) being positioned to catch the elevator secondary stop on the pilot's control column.
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