Accident Details
During the takeoff run, the pilot realized a flight control problem when the aircraft could not be rotated for lift-off. The pilot continued the takeoff and attempted to overcome the issue by adjusting the elevator trim. However, a climb could not be established. Subsequently, the aircraft struck a fence while the landing gear was still extended and came to a stop some 800 feet beyond.
Pilot's Actions
The pilot reported that the gust lock for the plane had been misplaced and a bolt was inserted in its place. Prior to the flight, the pilot had failed to remove the bolt. The pilot also noted that judicious use of the checklist could have prevented the accident.
Findings
Investigation revealed that the gust lock had been replaced with a bolt, which was not removed before the flight. This prevented the flight controls from operating correctly during takeoff.