Investigation number
198503521
Occurrence date
Location
Redcliffe
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Runway excursion
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Minor

After completing the first landing of the intended touch and go, the pilot readjusted the elevator trim, flap, and applied full power. As the speed increased to about 65 knots he attempted to select the climb attitude but found that the elevator control was jammed in the neutral position. The take-off was abandoned. However, the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft before it overran the strip and struck a levee bank. An inspection of the aircraft revealed that a small aerosol container had jammed the elevator control cables. Sometime prior to this flight the aerosol container had been left lying loose in the rear luggage compartment. It had rolled between the alloy mesh screen and the lower rear seat back into an area under the rear seat where it could foul control cables. When the take-off was abandoned very little braking was available, in the initial stages, because the aircraft was wheelbarrowing due to its speed and the jammed elevator.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-28
Registration
VH-PZW
Operation type
Private
Departure point
Redcliffe QLD
Departure time
1650
Destination
Redcliffe QLD
Damage
Substantial