Summary
The pilot began his take-off run from a paddock which he had inspected some days earlier. He abandoned
the take-off when the nosewheel struck a lime stone block at a point 75 yards along the take-off path and
covered by a smooth mound of earth. The pilot then inspected the nosewheel assembly and engine cowlings
but did not detect any damage. In fact, the impact had bent the nosewheel rim and trim and had pushed the
nosewheel struts slightly rearward distorting the fire-wall and wrinkling the underside of the fuselage. The
fuselage distortion displaced the elevator control cable pulleys which resulted in slackening of the elevator
cables.
As the pilot had detected no damage he then restarted the aircraft, and completed a pre take-off cockpit
check, but did not check the flying controls. He took off and climbed to 1,500 feet where, on levelling out,
he became aware of abnormal free play in the elevator controls. Without delay he made a safe landing in
another paddock.
The free play in the elevator controls was found to be 1 1/2 inches at the pilot controls and 5 1/2 inches at the
elevator trailing edge.
