B767-300 and 300 ER
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180; Flight Crew Total 4500; Flight Crew Type 1000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
During climb out the Captain noted an abnormal pitch control feedback from control yoke that was not present on the ground flight control checks. He passed controls to me and asked for verification. I noted a significant abnormal dead band in the yoke response in the pitch axis raising concern about the potential flight control problems. In the discussion that followed; we agreed that the safest course of action was to turn back and get the aircraft checked. ATC was informed followed by a routine visual approach.
At rotation the pitch control felt sluggish and sloppy. We got the aircraft cleaned up. I transferred control of the aircraft to my First Officer seeking his evaluation as to the feel of the pitch control. He agreed there was sloppiness in the feel of the pitch control. We decided that a return was the prudent thing to do and informed ATC of our decision to return. An emergency was declared and we were cleared for a visual approach. The approach and landing were uneventful.
B767-300 flight crew experiences sloppy elevator pitch control during and immediately after takeoff. After discussion the crew elects to return to the departure airport.