Incident Overview
During takeoff, an airplane veered off the runway, causing the nose gear to collapse aft and damaging the firewall and fuselage. The pilot reported that while in the run-up area, she received an altitude alert message accompanied by a horn. She attempted to silence the alert by pressing various buttons but was unsuccessful.
Pre-Takeoff Actions
The pilot returned to the hangar, where her flight instructor pulled the circuit breaker for the autopilot, which was generating the alert. After the alert ceased, she taxied out for takeoff.
Takeoff and Loss of Control
The pilot began the takeoff roll and attempted to rotate, but the control yoke was ineffective. She applied the brakes, but the airplane departed the right side of the runway. A post-accident examination revealed that the airplane had full nose-down trim.
Pilot Statements
The pilot said she was unaware that the trim needed to be manually recycled after pulling the circuit breaker.
Aircraft Documentation
Section four of Supplement 15 to the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) described normal procedures for autopilot use. Paragraph A.2 contained a warning that the manual electric trim and autopilot would be inoperative if the circuit breaker was pulled. Paragraph eight instructed the pilot to manually set the trim to the takeoff position. Section four of the POH also described normal procedures. The before takeoff checklist instructed the pilot to ensure that the elevator trim was set for takeoff.