Accident Description
According to the pilot's account, after landing to pick up a passenger, he engaged the control lock out of habit but did not shut down the engine. After receiving clearance to taxi back to the runway and take off, he began the takeoff roll but forgot to release the control lock. The Cessna 195 features a combination control lock and parking brake system. When engaged, it sets the brakes and locks only the ailerons and rudder; however, it does not lock the elevators. The elevator system includes a detent that can hold the control column fully forward. In this incident, the elevator control was positioned full forward, causing the tail of the aircraft to rise rapidly.
Pilot Statements
The pilot stated, "Upon realizing what was happening, I tried to unlock control but was too late and nose went into runway causing flip-over." When contacted later for clarification, the pilot explained that he had moved the control into the detent to get it out of his way. He also noted that during the takeoff roll, he could have pulled the control out of the detent "with a little extra effort," but "things just happened too fast."
Aircraft Information
The accident involved a Cessna 195, which has a control lock that also acts as a parking brake. When engaged, the control lock applies the brakes and restricts movement of the ailerons and rudder, but not the elevators. The elevator system includes a detent that can hold the control column in a full forward position.