What happened
On July 9, 2019, a Cessna 172P Skyhawk, registration LN-ZLV, was participating in a local sightseeing flight from Svolvær Airport Helle (ENSH). The flight was operated by Lofoten Flyklubb, with the pilot-in-command allowing a passenger with previous flight training to handle the controls for the departure.
During the takeoff roll on runway 01, the aircraft reached rotation speed; however, the passenger found the control stick immobile. The aircraft lifted off briefly but failed to climb, bouncing several times on the runway. The pilot, initially believing the nose had been lowered, took control and discovered the control wheel lock was still engaged. In an attempt to rectify the situation, the pilot reduced the throttle to idle, causing the aircraft to descend heavily onto the runway. The aircraft skidded to a stop in the northeast section of the airfield. All three occupants escaped without injury, but the aircraft sustained significant damage to the firewall, nose cone, and propeller.
The investigation
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) examined the cockpit configuration and the pilot's procedures. The investigation revealed that the control wheel lock had been improperly installed by a previous pilot. Specifically, the lock was positioned behind a GPS and a tablet mounted on the control column, rendering it visually obscured.
Furthermore, the investigation looked into the cockpit management during the flight. While the pilot was managing radio communications with Svolvær AFIS and monitoring other traffic, the standard pre-takeoff checklists were not utilized. The investigation also noted that the placement of the electronic equipment potentially obstructed access to essential flight controls and switches.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the failure to remove the control wheel lock prior to takeoff.
- The pilot's decision not to use the aircraft'yls checklists was a significant contributing factor, as a proper check would have identified the engaged lock.
- The control lock was difficult to detect because it was hidden behind a GPS and a tablet mounted on the control stick.
- The pilot's attention was divided by radio communications and the presence of other aircraft in the vicinity during the engine run-up.
- The improper installation of the control lock by a previous operator made the lock nearly invisible during the pre-flight phase.