and another in the same vein...
[edited for conciseness]
NTSB Identification: NYC01LA183
Accident occurred Sunday, July 22, 2001 at Biddeford, ME
Aircraft:Beech BE-36, registration: N3680U
Injuries: 1 Minor.
On July 22, 2001, about 1510 eastern daylight time, a Beech BE-36, N3680U, was substantially damaged during takeoff at the Biddeford Municipal Airport (B19), Biddeford, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries.
The airplane was departing runway 24, a 3,011 foot-long, asphalt runway.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, when the airplane reached rotation speed, the pilot was not able to pull-back on the control column. The airplane continued down the runway, until it departed the end of the runway and impacted several small trees.
Post accident examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the control column lock was installed in the control column.
The pilot reported 1,150 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for a FAA first class medical certificate, which was issued on January 30, 2001. He was also a certified flight instructor.
One question...How?