Field DH8C at Muskoka on Dec 6th 2013, rejected takeoff after being airborne

A Field Aviation de Havilland Dash 8-300, registration C-GNUC performing a flight from Muskoka,ON to Toronto,ON (Canada) with 5 people on board, was rotating for takeoff from Muskoka when the pilot flying noticed excessive control forces were needed on the elevator. The aircraft became briefly airborne while the pilot flying rejected takeoff, retarded throttles to idle and returned the aircraft onto the runway for a safe rollout.

The Canadian TSB confirmed the aircraft was briefly airborne while the takeoff was rejected due to excessive pitch control forces. While taxiing back the crew noticed the controls could not reach the full travel limits. Two subsequent high speed runs confirmed excessive control forces, then the aircraft was returned to a maintenance hangar. The aircraft was about to perform the first flight since being repainted, the flight controls had been removed by another contractor for the paint job. The controls had been reinstalled and balanced by the other contractor after the paint job, two independent signatures confirmed the works were done correctly and the aircraft was airworthy. Inspection revealed however that the counterweights on the elevator trim tab had been installed in reverse which prevented elevator spring tab full travel and increased aerodynamic load on the elevator controls at high speed. The counterweights were reinstalled correctly, the aircraft tested with no further faults and returned to service.

Muskokoa features a runway 18/36 with 6000 feet/1830 meters length and a runway 09/27 of 2200 feet/670 meters.