WPR11CA197

While descending from 10,500 feet to 8,500 feet on approach to the airport, the airplane encountered light turbulence and the pilot heard a noise emanating from the rear seat. The pilot immediately realized that the pitch control had become jammed and the range of available movement was minimal. He manipulated the trim to control the nose-down position, and continued the flight to the airport (the closest airport to his position). Upon crossing the threshold for landing, he reduced the power and the airplane touched down, bouncing twice before ground looping and coming to rest off the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the pilot's personal location beacon (PLB) had become lodged in the bellcrank for the elevator torque tube. Once the PLB was removed, the elevator moved freely.

The pilot was returning to home base from a fly-in event. While descending from 10,500 feet to 8,500 feet, he encountered some light turbulence and heard a noise emanating from the rear seat. He immediately realized that the pitch control had become jammed and there was minimal movement. He manipulated the trim to control the nose-down position, and continued the flight to the accident airport (the closest airport to his position). Upon crossing the threshold for landing, he reduced the power and the airplane touched down, bouncing two times before ground looping and coming to rest off the runway. After shutting the airplane down and exiting, the pilot further inspected the airplane. He found that his McMurdo personal location beacon (PLB) that he had connected to his left-hand shoulder harness and placed on the baggage tray, had fallen in between the seat support members and became lodged in the bellcrank for the elevator torque tube. Once the PLB was removed, the elevator moved freely.