What happened
On 10 December 2011, an Air Canada Express flight operated by Exploits Valley Air Services was performing a scheduled passenger service from Gander to Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. The aircraft, a Hawker Beechcraft 1900D with registration C-GLHO, was carrying 13 passengers and 2 crew members. During the takeoff roll on Runway 21, the crew reached a rotation speed of 112 knots before discovering that the control column was stuck in the full forward position. The pilot rejected the takeoff at 119 knots with significant runway remaining. While the aircraft sustained no damage and there were no injuries, the crew later found that while they could free the column with force, the elevator movement remained restricted.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's recent history and found that prior to the flight, the aircraft had been parked outside in Gander during heavy winds, with gusts exceeding 50 knots. The investigation established that the control locks had not been installed during this period. Examination of the elevator control system revealed damage to the bob-weight, the stop-bolt bracket, and the mounting structure. The investigation also looked into maintenance practices, noting that neither the daily maintenance inspection nor the post-start checks had included a specific elevator control check, allowing the malfunction to go undetected until the takeoff roll.
Findings
- The aircraft was left parked without control locks during high-wind conditions, which caused the elevators to slam repeatedly, damaging the bob-weight.
- The design of the stop-bolt bracket allowed the bob-weight to move beyond its normal range, causing it to jam against the stop bolt and lock the column forward.
- A lack of specific elevator control checks during maintenance and pre-flight procedures meant the stuck condition was not identified before departure.
- Inconsistent pre-flight inspection practices and non-essential communication during the sterile cockpit phase increased the risk of oversight and distraction.
- Manufacturer communications regarding the issue were found to be insufficiently clear, potentially preventing operators from fully grasping the risk of the bob-weight jamming.