Flight control systems involving a Cessna 210J, VH-AKJ, Inverell, New South Wales, on 26 May 1994

Because of the condition of the strip, the technique the pilot used for take-off was to set 20 degrees flap and apply almost full back elevator control to lift the aircraft off the ground at low airspeed and to then accelerate in ground effect before climbing away. On this occasion, after lift-off at 55 kts, the control column became jammed near the fully back position. The aileron control was partially jammed.

At about 300 ft, with the aircraft in a high nose attitude and the airspeed decreasing through 40 kts, the pilot reduced engine power and the nose attitude decreased. He was able to climb the aircraft to about 500 ft and maintain pitch control through the use of engine power and flap. The rudder was used for roll control.

The pilot conducted a straight-in approach to Inverell and landed safely.

Post-flight inspection revealed that a multi-pin plug had become detached from an ADF indicator unit in the instrument panel. The plug had lodged in the slide channel for the control column, thus causing the restriction.