BEA Viking elevators stuck

[76fan]

In the Military Aviation forum "Cornish Jack" mentions a Hastings with stuck elevators. It reminded me of a Daily Express newspaper report, must have been in mid to late '50's, of a BEA Vickers Viking which got airborne with the elevator gust locks fitted. I seem to remember the report saying that the passengers moved fore and aft to trim the aircraft and that eventually a hole was made in the fuselage and a pole pushed through it to dislodge the lock(s). I think the aircraft was operating to/from Northolt. I cannot find any reference to such an event online. Anyone else remember it, or can add anything?

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by 76fan

eventually a hole was made in the fuselage and a pole pushed through it to dislodge the lock(s).

Presumably two holes ?

I suppose if you have to do that, having a short stubby fuselage with no pressure bulkhead makes life easier.

[Discorde]

The elevators would likely have been mounted on one axis, moving together. So perhaps it was only necessary to fit the lock on one side, in which case the 'one hole' solution would have worked OK. Perhaps it was a window they knocked out to access the lock.

[Discorde]

Further to the above: I'm assuming the Viking's gust locks were external (like the DC3) rather than internal (like the Vanguard) - don't know about the Viscount.

[DH106]

Originally Posted by Discorde

Further to the above: I'm assuming the Viking's gust locks were external (like the DC3) rather than internal (like the Vanguard) - don't know about the Viscount.

The Viscount also had build in (internal) gust locks.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by Discorde

The elevators would likely have been mounted on one axis, moving together.

Yes, I'm sure that was the case - as with, for example, the DC-3.

So perhaps it was only necessary to fit the lock on one side

I'd be surprised if it was, as that would imply that the torque tube was the only restraining force on the opposite elevator. The DC-3 certainly used a lock on each side, even though holding one elevator would in theory stop the other one moving.

[BSAA1947]

D.C.3 Elevator Locks

I was going to mention Don Bennett’s Tudor incident on the Airlift, then discovered it was already discussed here.

[Cornish Jack]

Lots of time on Valettas, which were essentially the same aircraft, and vaguely recall a single 'wedge' type lock (with flag attached!). Certainly no in-built locks.