B737 First Officer reported restricted and jammed flight controls during climb out. Flight crew returned to departure airport and landed safely.
Synopsis
B737 First Officer reported restricted and jammed flight controls during climb out. Flight crew returned to departure airport and landed safely.
Narrative
Right after my aircraft was climbing through 400ft msl; I recommended the Captain we turn to join the filed airway as cleared by the ATC. The Captain said that he was going to maintain the present heading so that we can figure out the flight control problem. A couple of minutes later; the aircraft was under control and Captain handed me over the control to get my opinion on it. As he described; I felt the no resistance as I steer the control wheel to the left; but much more resistance as I steer to the right. From center position to about 3 units to the left; there was no force at all where as center to 1 unit right and beyond; there was much force that I needed to apply much strength to override it and steer. We [requested priority handling]; Captain and I ran through the Jammed/ Restricted Flight Control Checklist. After the checklist; we re-engaged the autopilot A to reduce workload but was not able to. The autopilot B was engaged instead. Captain took the control of the aircraft and landed at ZZZ safely. Prior to the flight; Captain and I found hydraulic fluid in the left main gear compartment. The Maintenance took action and found out that it was not a leakage. It is uncertain this is linked with restricted flight control.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.