Event Description
During an attempted takeoff, the airplane impacted a taxiway sign, a bale of hay, and a ditch after the pilot aborted the takeoff. The private pilot reported that she had conducted a preflight inspection and performed pre-takeoff systems and settings checks.
Pilot Actions
On the takeoff roll, approximately halfway down the runway, the control yoke pushed back against the pilot's hand, and the nose wheel lifted off the runway. The pilot applied forward pressure on the yoke while checking the airspeed indicator, which indicated airspeed in the "green range." She then released some forward pressure, causing the airplane's nose to pitch up abruptly and activating the stall warning horn. The airplane was about 35 feet above the ground at this point.
The pilot lowered the nose to gain airspeed, but the airplane banked left approximately 30 degrees. She reduced power to abort the takeoff, and the wings leveled. The airplane was to the left of the departure runway and 50 feet above the ground, so the pilot elected to reapply full power. The airplane banked left again, prompting the pilot to pull the power to idle to abort the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, the airplane struck a taxiway sign, a bale of hay, and a ditch before coming to rest.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the trim system revealed that the trim tab was approximately 5.5 degrees off from the cockpit's trim indicator in the nose-up direction. No mechanical reason could be found for the left banking tendency described by the pilot.
Maintenance History
Review of maintenance records showed that the airplane underwent its last annual inspection 80 hours prior to the accident. During that inspection, the mechanic "checked lights, cables, pulleys, controls, and attach points." Approximately 150 hours before the accident, a mechanic "installed bushings and jack screws, and hardware as necessary to remove excessive free play from elevator trim tab system." The pilot did not notice the trim setting anomaly during the preflight inspection.