Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
During Climbout; I felt that the control wheel forces were not normal. I had to trim 'RWD' [Right Wing Down] almost full trim deflection in order to get the aircraft to stay trimmed. I also noticed that there was about 3' of play in the control wheel travel before any aileron movement occurred. Mach Trim/Stab Trim disconnected twice during this flight. I had turned the autopilot on at one point; and after a few seconds; the yoke had slammed rearward towards my seat very abruptly and instantly returned to neutral. At that time I turned the autopilot off and hand flew the aircraft back to our departure airport. I advised ATC of situation; described the aircraft condition to the ATC controller; and informed ATC that I wanted to return to the airport. We sent Dispatcher a text via ACARS as to what was happening and what our intentions were. I called dispatch once we were on the ground. Maintenance was notified next. No QRH procedure was followed because there is no QRH procedure for this incident as I recognized it. There was no 'Runaway' condition..... Just severe play in the control wheel in the roll axis. I would like to know what maintenance found when they inspected the aircraft. The threat was the possibility of an aircraft upset scenario. Threat of a total loss of roll control. I am sure there were some errors performed by myself or the F/O; but I really can't remember them. We worked well as a team to land the aircraft safely.
A CRJ-200 flight crew returned to their departure airport when aileron operation appeared severely compromised and the autopilot exhibited extreme and uncommanded elevator inputs.