Incident Overview
A pilot was returning to home base after attending a fly-in event. During descent from 10,500 feet to 8,500 feet, light turbulence was encountered and a noise emanated from the rear seat. The pilot immediately realized that the pitch control had become jammed and allowed only minimal movement. He manipulated the elevator trim to control the aircraft's nose-down attitude and continued the flight to the nearest airport, which was the accident airport.
Landing and Post-Landing Inspection
Upon crossing the landing threshold, the pilot reduced power and the airplane touched down. It bounced two times before ground looping and coming to rest off the runway. After shutting down the engine and exiting the aircraft, the pilot conducted a thorough inspection. He discovered that his McMurdo personal location beacon (PLB), which had been connected to his left-hand shoulder harness and placed on the baggage tray, had fallen between the seat support members and become lodged in the bellcrank for the elevator torque tube. Once the PLB was removed, the elevator moved freely.
Findings
The pilot's personal locator beacon, inadvertently displaced during flight, became wedged in the elevator control mechanism, causing the jam. No other mechanical issues were identified. The aircraft sustained no further damage beyond the ground loop event.