What happened
On September 18, 2022, a Cessna U206E, registration LN-VYN, was performing a skydiving operation at Bjorli Airport (ENLB) in Norway. As the aircraft reached rotation speed at the end of runway 30, the pilot attempted to pull back on the control column but found it immobile. The pilot immediately realized that the control column lock had not been removed.
To avoid a more serious incident, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. During the high-speed braking and rollout, the aircraft veered off the paved runway surface and into the gravel. The pilot eventually managed to steer the aircraft back onto the pavement, coming to a stop near the end of the runway. All five occupants—the pilot and four skydivers—evacuated the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) examined the aircraft's configuration and the pilot's pre-flight procedures. The investigation revealed that the control lock installed on LN-VYN differed from the standard Cessna 206 design. While the original manufacturer's lock includes a metal plate that physically prevents the engine from starting unless the lock is removed, the lock on this aircraft utilized a fabric streamer with a "Remove Before Flight" tag.
This specific lock did not provide a mechanical barrier to engine start. Furthermore, the fabric streamer was positioned behind the control column, making it difficult to see. The investigation also reviewed the Pilot's Operating Handbook, which mandates control surface checks for freedom of movement during both the pre-flight inspection and the before-takeoff checklist.
Findings
- The pilot failed to verify the movement of the control surfaces during the pre-flight and takeoff checklists.
- The control column lock remained engaged during the takeoff roll.
- The non-standard control lock lacked the physical safeguard found on original equipment, which would have prevented engine ignition if the lock were still in place.
- The visual warning (the fabric streamer) was obscured by the control column, reducing the likelihood of detection.