2022-07 · NASA ASRS report 1917514
CE-441 pilot reported during initial climbout the aircraft made two uncommanded pitch ups with the autopilot not engaged. The pilot regained control by pulling the autopilot circuit breaker and was able to land the aircraft normally.
During a normal take off roll after liftoff at 95 kts.; the gear and flaps retracted. At 115 kts. 150 ft. the nose started an un-commanded pitch up. I took the trim from the takeoff setting and trimmed to the full nose down position with no response from the increasing nose up pitch event. At this time I had roll and yaw control however pitch control felt like a servo was holding the yoke in the pitch axis. With the airspeed decreasing below 85 kts. a 90 degree roll was initiated to get the nose down which allowed airspeed to increase. Once the airspeed increased a secondary roll to 90 degrees of bank was initiated to counter the continuing pitch tendency. On the second pitch event the yoke starting to allow limited movement with mechanical feel of a servo driving pitch. Roll and yaw were free though out the whole event.Once the auto pilot circuit breaker was pulled the pitch axis returned to normal. Throughout the event the auto pilot disconnected button had been pressed several times with no effect. My communication was very limited with ATC throughout the event until the aircraft control was regained. However ATC had full view of the event from the Tower and was very proactive and clearing the air space. Landing was normal no damage to air frame. A weight and balance was performed prior to flight and aircraft was well within Center of Gravity. Preflight control check was performed with no anomalies. The auto pilot flight director was used for takeoff with the auto pilot not engaged.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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