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 pilot experienced a restriction in the movement of the elevator control. Despite the mechanical interference, the pilot was able to complete the flight and perform a successful landing at the airfield.
The investigation
Following the incident, an inspection of the aircraft was conducted to identify the source of the control interference. Investigators located a foreign object lodged against the elevator control stop. Subsequent inquiries by the flying club determined that this object was a metal ring. Further examination revealed that the ring had detached from the aircraft’s door emergency release pull mechanism.
Findings
- The elevator control movement was obstructed by a metal ring that had migrated into the control column area.
- The ring originated from the aircraft's door emergency release pull.
- There was no way to determine exactly how the ring entered the internal control space during the flight.