Piper PA-31C | C-GKSI

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot failed to assure that the elevator trim setting was set properly, and did fail to reject the takeoff once a condition of abnormal control yoke force was evident, well prior to liftoff. The elevator trim actuator was found with 1.0 inch of threaded rod on the forward side of the actuator with 10 threads exposed, which corresponded to a full nose-up trim condition. The aircraft had been flown recently and regularly, so an improperly rigged elevator trim tab is not suspected at this time.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft become familiar with AQP best practices which ensure that a BEFORE TAXI checklist is complete prior to any aircraft movement. The BEFORE TAXI checklist should include a verification of all flight control trim positions and indications.