Incident Overview
The pilot of an airplane encountered pitch control problems after completing approximately 30 minutes of aerobatics. He contacted the operator via Unicom, reporting that the elevator control was malfunctioning. The pilot stated his position as 10 miles southeast of the airport and indicated he would proceed straight in for runway 30.
Pilot Actions
The operator noted that the pilot was unable to move the elevator or the elevator trim. To manage the airplane's pitch and altitude, the pilot relied on power adjustments. After clearing trees near the airport, the airplane touched down short of the runway, bounced, went through the airport's perimeter fence, impacted a fire hydrant, and skidded to a stop approximately one-quarter mile short of the runway 30 threshold.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector and the operator revealed that a chromed adjustment buckle, of the type normally used for shoulder harness straps, was blocking the movement of the elevator control tube at the elevator bellcrank. A review of the airplane's records showed that the shoulder harnesses had been replaced by a mechanic approximately 90 flight hours before the accident.