Amateur-built QUICKIE Q2 N314JF accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of elevator control, due to control stick's counter-weight binding with the airplane's header tank.

NTSB analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA326 for the full record.