Date: 201512
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Dawn
Aircraft: Citation Excel (C560XL)
Operator: Air Taxi
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Ferry / Re-Positioning
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Elevator Trim System
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Taxi
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Confusion; Workload; Physiological - Other
Second reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Chart Or Publication
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: After takeoff the SIC was hand flying and we received a windshear warning on the PFD and aurally. We knew that it was erroneous because the weather was near perfect. After a brief discussion we elected to continue to our destination because we knew the malfunction was able to be MELed. As the flying pilot was attempting to level the aircraft at 5;000 ft. The SIC tried using the electric trim to level the aircraft and it appeared the electric trim wasn't working so the SIC tried using the manual trim wheel. At first the trim wheel was stiff and then broke free and moved very easily with no effect on the pitch trim. The flying pilot reduced power but still had to use both hands and wedge his knee between the seat and control column to maintain level flight. We briefly transferred controls so that I could feel the required force to maintain level flight. After transferring controls back we discussed the options briefly and then notified ATC of our decision to return to our departure airport. After running the appropriate checklist with little relief in control pressure we changed configuration until we found that full flaps and airspeed around 135 to 140 KIAS alleviated the excessive control pressure required. The remainder of the flight was uneventful and completed as normal. The flying pilot did an outstanding job maintaining aircraft control under difficult circumstances. I can't recommend an option to alleviate this [from] happening again as the trim was checked prior to takeoff and operated normally.

Callback: The reported stated that prior to slowing for the approach the crew had a hand full maintaining level flight. After slowing below 200 KTS in the elevator nose high trim condition; lowering flaps made the aircraft very flyable on elevator only. The initial checklist applied was the 'Jammed Elevator Trim'; but the steps simply did not apply. Maintenance later reported that one elevator cable was completely broken while the second had about 20% of the strands still connected. The reporter did not know the consequence of a completely disconnected elevator trim.

Second narrative: [Report narrative contained no additional information.]


Synopsis: A CE560XL crew attempted to level after takeoff; but the elevator trim was frozen in a nose high attitude. By applying extreme pressure the aircraft was leveled; the trim broke free and the crew regained aircraft control at approach speed with flaps extended. Damaged trim cables were found.