Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 5640; Flight Crew Type 170
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Events and Conditions: The day was nice (VMC) little to no turbulence enroute and upon approach and landing there was no turbulence or gusts. The approach to landing was smooth and precise; on localizer and glide slope all the way to touchdown even though we were on a visual approach. Upon landing; after the main wheels touchdown and power levers going to ground idle; the elevators then uncoupled and we proceeded with the after landing rollout with the nose wheel coming into contact with the ground softly. We then taxied to the gate without declaring an emergency since we were on the ground when it happened. We then notified Dispatch and Maintenance of our problem. We remained with the aircraft until it was fixed. The Maintenance Inspector came with a special tool and his publications needed for him to reengage the elevator. Maintenance informed us that no post maintenance flight check was needed after the re-engagement of the elevator and their running a maintenance checklist. Maintenance then signed the maintenance flight log off as airworthy and we returned to service.
An ATR-72's elevators uncoupled during the landing flare with no aircraft damage; so Maintenance re-engaged the elevators and returned the aircraft to service.