ASRS Reports

One target caught my eye as it was on a collision course with me. Shortly after I arrested my climb I watched their N number pass by approximately 200 feet above us, off my nose.

The engine went quiet for a moment, almost like it skipped a beat. Then within three to five seconds later it happened again.

In his first emergency situation as a pilot, several thoughts went through his head: 1. This is really happening. 2. I can make the airport, I am going to be ok, the engine is still running, do not panic. 3. Is there something wrong with the fuel I just put in the airplane? There was nothing wrong with the sample I took. 4. How am I getting home now? My dog is unattended and I have to be at work in the morning.

My CFI froze in a priority situation while I was flying under goggles at night. I cannot think of a scenario where this is acceptable.

On climb out, a loud tapping was heard and suspected to come from the front of the Sundowner 23.

On takeoff I recognized the stall warning horn and an abnormal pitch up after rotation. I immediately provided full forward pressure on the stick and received no response. I proceeded to reduce power and add full forward trim, which lowered the nose of the aircraft. It became clear that the plane did not have elevator control.

I declared “my controls” and my student froze on the controls and failed to follow procedure. By the time I was able to get him to respond, the aircraft was past the taxiway edge, and the right main gear struck the light.

When the AP would not disengage I pushed the disengage button on the yoke. When that didn’t work, I pulled the circuit breaker to the autopilot. That didn’t work either, the servos refused to release.

As I was holding the nose up my instructor said “my controls.” In my mind I wasn’t sure why he wanted to take control. We were stable and about to touchdown, but I immediately removed my hands from the flight controls and said “your controls.” I didn’t know if he saw something I did not.