Duo Discus elevator partly blocked by loose clip — detected on second flight
A Duo Discus flew two VFR flights with control issues from Bern-Belp (LSZB, Switzerland); both flights landed safely and no one was injured. On the first flight the pilot felt the aircraft nose-heavy at the flare, full back-stick hit what felt like the usual stop, and the landing was firmer than usual; pre-flight checks had not revealed the reduced deflection range. On the second flight a different pilot found the nose would not stay horizontal in turns despite full back-stick, aborted and landed. Inspection found a loose clip with a ferrite core had fallen under the seat shell and was partially obstructing the elevator pushrod.
- First flight: familiarisation: Duo Discus departed Bern-Belp (LSZB) for a platform familiarisation flight (Platzeinweisungsflug); pilot-being-checked in back, instructor in front.
- Nose-heavy feel at flare: At flare the pilot felt the aircraft nose-heavy; full back-stick hit its usual stop. Landing was firmer than usual. Pilot attributed it at the time to the type's trailing-edge flaps.
- Second flight, different pilot: Same aircraft handed to another pilot. After release the pilot also felt nose-heaviness.
- Nose won't hold horizontal in turn: The nose could not be held horizontal in a turn despite full back-stick. The pilot aborted the flight.
- Landed safely; foreign-object find: Landed at Bern-Belp without further issue; inspection found a loose clip with a ferrite core had fallen under the seat shell and was partially obstructing the elevator pushrod.