NTSB Re Houston Accident???
Q: Re the unfortunate accident in Houston that's generated some discussion about trying to take off with control locks installed, the NTSB preliminary states: "Initial examination of the airplane revealed that the flight control lock was installed in the cockpit's flight control column. The control lock pin was found bent to the left. The control lock hole, mounted on the instrument panel collar, was broken. The control yoke was separated from the control column and both the left and right control yoke horns were separated from the yoke." Could it be that the control lock hole that is in the collar attached to the instrument panel was already broken somehow before the accident? Or, that the lock was in the column, but the pilot had not installed it thru the collar hole? If that were the case, I could see how the pilot might not be aware of the problem until take-off -- the yoke would still move left, right, and back -- just not forward. That would seem to fit with the description of witnesses that the plane pitched up sharply. I just can't imagine not noticeing until you're in the air that the control wheel is completed immovable!! Any comments?
A: With the way beechcraft are with CG problems, this accident.... a combination of aft cg and control lock is pretty believable.