CEN11CA326

The pilot was becoming familiar with the experimental airplane he had just purchased by practicing taxi tests. He decided to take the airplane on a flight and during the initial takeoff, he experienced some binding on the control stick, but dismissed it as just requiring some lubrication. He flew for about an hour and decided to practice a few approaches. On the third approach, he realized that he was unable to move the control stick forward, but he was able to control the airplane's altitude by engine power and trim. He elected to divert to another airport and performed an emergency landing. During the landing the airplane bounced twice, the propeller struck the ground and the airplane's left canard/landing gear separated. The pilot reported that the pivot bolt holding the counterweight was tight and the counterweight had a little movement which allowed the weight to bind with the airplane's header tank.

The pilot had just purchased the kit airplane and had spent part of the day doing taxi tests,in order to become familiar with the airplane. Later in the day, the pilot and passenger decided on flying the airplane. The pilot reported during the initial take-off, he thought there was a little binding on the control stick, but dismissed it as just requiring some lubrication. After about an hour of maneuvering the airplane, they decided on doing several practice approaches. On the third approach, the pilot realized that he was unable to move the control stick forward. The pilot found that he was able to control the airplane's altitude by engine power and trim. During the flight to a larger airport for the emergency landing, the pilot asked his passenger to check the control stick's counterweight, located near the airplane's header tank. The passenger reportedly told the pilot that the counterweight was binding on the fuel tank. A forced landing was conducted and the airplane bounced twice before impacting the propeller, and separating of the airplane's left canard/landing gear. The pilot added that the pivot bolt holding the counterweight was tight; however, the counterweight had a little movement, allowing the weight to bind with the airplane's header tank.