2025-11 · NASA ASRS report 2321732
CRJ550 flight crew reported difficulties with the elevator control system during all phases of flight. Flight continued to destination with a safe touchdown.
We departed ZZZ1 on schedule for the flight to ZZZ. all preflight checks and operations were normal. I was PF and hand flew the airplane to about 10;000 feet MSL with no abnormalities noted. I engaged the auto pilot (AP) and it soon became apparent that the AP was not following pitch commands of the flight Director and the aircraft was oscillating in pitch. I disconnected the AP and hand flew remainder of the climb to FL230. At that point; I reengaged the AP to determine if straight and level flight was possible by the AP. Aircraft again oscillated in pitch and was unable to hold altitude. As PF I hand flew remainder of cruise and descent towards ZZZ. I reengaged the AP in approach mode; one last time to determine the viability of its function. Aircraft again oscillated in pitch while trying to couple to the GS signal from the ILS RWY XX @ZZZ. When AP was disengaged around 1000 feet AFE I had to add significant nose up trim to stabilize the aircraft in pitch. The remainder of the flight to the RWY was hand flown and control Inputs were responsive as needed for pitch and role. At 20 feet to 30 feet above the runway as I rounded out and started to flare I then noticed a jam in nose up pitch. I held what force I could to keep the aircraft in a landing attitude; and we safely touchdown and rolled out to a normal taxi speed. During taxi in; I was unable to add any pitch up command to the elevator as column appeared jammed. EICAS flight control page showed zero upward deflection of the elevator. The FO's control column was also jammed from adding any nose up pitch. I wrote up the Maintenance discrepancy per our company procedures and proceeded to terminate the aircraft. I then notified all pertinent departments of the situation.Cause: The root cause of this event was the failure of a flight control. Contributing factors could have been component fatigue.Suggestions: Outside of completing all operational checks and assuring airworthiness of the aircraft prior to departure I am not aware of any suggestions to avoid repeating this event.
We experienced a lack of Elevator control during the landing flair. I was pilot monitoring and the captain was the pilot flying on the leg. During a preflight checks the elevator shows full range of motion and no problems with control. During the takeoff and subsequent climb we noted no problems with the elevator and were able to properly climb and adjust pitch as necessary.During the landing flair the captain stated he was unable to flair properly. After landing safely we determined the elevator was jammed. We taxied to the gate; terminated the aircraft and submitted the maintenance report as per standard company procedures.Cause: Mechanical Issue.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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