Narrative:

I experienced a flight control malfunction. While climbing out; I noticed that my elevator was jammed. I noticed my airspeed increasing and the nose of the airplane started transitioning to a slight nose-down attitude. I applied back elevator pressure; and noticed tension on the control yoke. I had no elevator authority. I moved my hand to the trim wheel and noticed the same tension. I attempted to move the trim wheel with as much force as I could and was able to release the tension. I then gained elevator authority and resumed the departure. I suspected that my electric trim could have 'run away' so I pulled the electric trim circuit breaker. I continued to exercise the elevator to assure that operation was normal. The elevator performed normally and I made the determination that my electric trim had 'run away.' I continued the flight with my decision that the problem was solved; and I knew that the absence of electric trim is an MEL item with the company that I work for. On arrival at my destination; I informed a maintenance lead supervisor of the incident. Before this flight; a preflight inspection was performed and everything checked out fine. Before takeoff; I checked the operation of the electric trim and it operated normal. Flight controls were checked before takeoff and operated normal. Autopilot was not used at any time during this flight. For myself to keep this from happening again; I no longer use electric trim anywhere near the ground. The only time I will use electric trim in the PA-31 or any older model aircraft is in cruise flight.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA31 pilot reports jammed elevator during climb out. After further investigation diagnosis turns to run away electric trim. Trim circuit breaker is pulled and remainder of flight is normal.

Narrative: I experienced a Flight Control malfunction. While climbing out; I noticed that my elevator was jammed. I noticed my airspeed increasing and the nose of the airplane started transitioning to a slight nose-down attitude. I applied back elevator pressure; and noticed tension on the control yoke. I had no elevator authority. I moved my hand to the trim wheel and noticed the same tension. I attempted to move the trim wheel with as much force as I could and was able to release the tension. I then gained elevator authority and resumed the departure. I suspected that my electric trim could have 'run away' so I pulled the electric trim CB. I continued to exercise the elevator to assure that operation was normal. The elevator performed normally and I made the determination that my electric trim had 'run away.' I continued the flight with my decision that the problem was solved; and I knew that the absence of electric trim is an MEL item with the company that I work for. On arrival at my destination; I informed a maintenance lead supervisor of the incident. Before this flight; a preflight inspection was performed and everything checked out fine. Before takeoff; I checked the operation of the electric trim and it operated normal. Flight controls were checked before takeoff and operated normal. Autopilot was not used at any time during this flight. For myself to keep this from happening again; I no longer use electric trim anywhere near the ground. The only time I will use electric trim in the PA-31 or any older model aircraft is in cruise flight.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.