Date: 201703
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Dusk
Aircraft: PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Operator: FBO
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Training
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
ATC / advisory: CTAF ZZZ
Aircraft component: Horizontal Stabilizer
Reporter organization: FBO
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; Instructor
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Human factors: Other / Unknown; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Ground Event / Encounter Object
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Contributing factors: Airport; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I and the student arrived at the [airport at sunset] from the East. We tried to use pilot controlled light to find the airport; but the pilot controlled lighting system was inoperative. I thought pilot controlled lighting system was out of service. As we got closer to the airport; I could see the runway and continued to make a traffic pattern. We crossed mid-field to check the runway and wind sock. Wind sock wasn't really moving; so I choose to use Runway 22. I didn't see any 'X' signs near the runway number or 'X' light on the runway. Due to no signs; I believed the airport was open and we continued the right traffic pattern to runway 22 to finish the student's lesson.It was getting darker; but I could maintain visual contact with the runway. We landed safe and executed [a] touch and go. When we were about to rotate; I saw red cones at the middle of the runway. We rotated and maintained climb attitude successfully; I heard a red cone make impact with the nose gear section; but I didn't hear it impact the stabilator. I suspected some nose gear damage; but not a lot because it was a rubber cone. However; for some reason I had to apply forward pressure continuously due to an airplane pitching up moment at the full down trim position. I asked the student in the back seat; if he heard any additional sounds during the impact. He told me that he heard impact on the tail section; as well as the nose section. I suspected stabilator damage and checked flight characteristics after I gained sufficient altitude. I was still close to the airport; therefore I tried to ensure that I can complete the safe flight to our destination. I made a couple of turns and descent and climb. Maintaining pitch down attitude was doable; but I had to maintain an abnormal amount of the forward pressure. The flight characteristic was acceptable. Therefore; I choose to continue flight to base. I notified the tower that I have stabilator malfunction and I have to apply forward pressure continuously. I executed 0 flaps landing because flaps would make the nose pitch up moment worse. The tower offered me the opposite direction; straight in landing.As we were heading toward home; I asked the student if he checked the NOTAM. He said no. I personally didn't check the NOTAM before flight too.




Synopsis: PA28 instructor pilot reported contacting a rubber cone during touch-and-go at an apparent closed non-towered airport. Damage to the stabilator was suspected when the aircraft was flown back to base with full nose down trim and forward pressure on the yoke.