What happened
On 18 July 2013, a Champion 7ECA Citabria Aurora, registration G-EGWN, was conducting an aerobatic training flight near RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire. During the maneuvers, the instructor noticed that the elevator control had become restricted, which prevented the pilot from pitching the aircraft's nose up sufficiently to maintain level flight.
After evaluating the available control authority, the instructor decided to land the aircraft as soon as possible to prevent the situation from worsening. The student pilot assisted with pitch control under the instructor's direction. The approach was completed without incident, though the restricted elevator caused the aircraft to bounce several times with increasing amplitude before coming to rest. No injuries were sustained by the two crew members, and the aircraft suffered no damage.
The investigation
Following the landing, an inspection of the aircraft was conducted. Upon removing the fairing surrounding the stern post, investigators discovered a red painted steel ring, measuring approximately 45 mm in diameter, lodged against the elevator up stop. This object had limited the maximum upward travel of the elevator to 1.5 degrees below the neutral position.
While the initial investigation could not determine the origin of the object, a subsequent addendum provided clarity. The flying club's investigation identified that the ring had detached from the aircraft's door emergency release pull.
Findings
- The elevator control restriction was caused by a red painted steel ring jamming the elevator up stop.
- The ring originated from the aircraft's door emergency release mechanism.
- The incident highlights the significant hazards posed by loose items within an aircraft cockpit or airframe.