At about 1650 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a hard landing. According to the pilot, the elevator flight control system became disconnected seconds after taking off. The Private pilot reduced engine power to idle and he made a hard landing near midfield on Runway 7. The pilot received minor injuries. Although no discrepancies were noted during a pre-flight inspection, an examination of the airplane revealed that the elevators push-pull control rod was disconnected in the empennage.
