If the elevator cable snaps in a Cessna 150, how can I control the pitch?

Question

Thanks.

Answer 1

Everyone seems to be missing flying it with the trim wheel. The trim is a separate system from the elevator cable, and it will still move the elevator just like normal. Adding flaps actually pitches the nose down, so not a good idea. I know some instructors actually make their students land using only the trim. It just involves jockeying the power a lot while using the trim wheel.

Answer 2

I'm assuming you mean to say you have lost all elevator or in some instances stabulator control as in some light aircraft. Actually the 150 has an elevator trim tab which has an independent trim control system that would be effective but lets assume we have absolutely no control either up or down and no trim either. The elevator will most likely align itself with the slip stream of air flow over it so we won't plummet to the ground. Shifting weight in the cabin i.e. moving your seat for and aft will have some effect but the lag in reaction will make it difficult to make controlled adjustments to your pitch the aircraft is going to tend to porpoise seeking a trimmed flight condition. You will have the ability to change power settings which will indeed change pitch from any current trimmed condition. In a light aircraft it has been proved possible to effect some simulation of a controlled landing in this manner so it is possible but tricky and requires skill and luck with a complete understanding of the situation at hand.

I agee wit ajvpd stay away from the flaps!

Answer 3

Loss of elevator control is serious. You can shift passengers and baggage as necessary, but that takes time.
Your best bet would be to use the trim surface.
If your elevator is floating due to cable snap, the trim would work in the normal sense.
Power and elevator trim are a design criteria for modern light singles so that they can be landable in this situation.
I play with this type of scenario quite a bit.
Elevator failures, aileron failures, and some jammed control reactions.
Read Richard Stowell's Emergency Manoeuvre Training book. Kind of dry reading but it has a lot of good tips.

Answer 4

Shifting weight in the cabin is a good answer. Remember that you can also effect pitch using flaps / adjusting power settings. No elevator control would definitely make for an interesting landing.

Answer 5

no matter if I hate to confess it, there are situations the position there is the form of ingredient as too many hours. you observe it fairly typically in militia airplane the position the strain of militia flying in simple terms wears the accepted structure out. Even then, the planes may be rebuilt, although the fee might want to be prohibitive. If someone is keen to spend the money, although, very nearly any airplane might want to be further decrease back to very almost new mission and fly many lifetimes. I unquestionably have by no potential heard of a Cessna one hundred and fifty dropping its wing in familiar flight. there have been some cases the position fool pilots flew the little adult men into climate that became previous them, which incorporates severe thunderstorms, and the wings get sheared off by technique of the massive vertical winds in a unmarried of those issues. That is going for ANY airplane. The upside of that's we get an fool out of the sky. the turn away is the shortcoming of human beings and fully sturdy airplane.

Answer 6

After you've aired the cabin out, (and stated several times to your creator that you will not pass judgment on ANY one who wears a diaper!lol,) calm down!

I agree that you should stay clear of the flaps, for the above reasons, also, as your airspeed diminishes the now lifeless elevator will want to drop, further amplifying the nose down attitude of the flaps.

Also as previously stated, fly the trim wheel it should be operational.

Answer 7

If the cable snaps, and after you regain your composure and remain calm, the only ways that you can change pitch is to shift the weight in the cabin and also use your available thrust to either climb or descend. It may or may not work but in any event, your (hopeful) landing won't the most graceful. Whenever faced with a daunting or unusual situation in flight, remember to fly the plane first!

Answer 8

Due to the shortness of space for movement and weight shifting, the only way is using the elevator trim wheel.
It is tricky, but it can be done.

Answer 9

If this cable snaps then the aircraft pitch is not controllable.as the air speed slows the nose is going to descend. A ground strike is next. The MD80 that crashed near Santa Barbara CA lost elevator control and immediately went into a steep dive.

Answer 10

If the cable was to break I would defenitely head to the nearest airport, use my flaps to lower my pitch, if needed to go any higher or faster i would simply add power to the engine, I think this should keep the pitch attitude steady. dont thake my answer as definite one, i'm j not a CFI or havent tried it either.