Narrative:

On initial climbout at approximately 1;000 ft AGL; as I was completing the after takeoff checklist I noticed a 1/4 left indication on both the rudder and aileron trim. I asked the pilot flying if he had trimmed the aircraft and he hadn't. He then centered the trims and continued the climb but; once centered; the trims deflected left again without command from the pilot flying. The autopilot was engaged and the pilot flying manipulated both trims again. They stabilized momentarily; but as we leveled off at 10;000 to accelerate; I noticed a full right rudder deflection which was not commanded. The autopilot was then disconnected and we continued to climb to 13;000 while the pilot flying tried to get a feel for the aircraft.we then decided to return to our departure airport as controllability had worsened. We were less than 30 miles out and felt that was our best option. Initially; we requested 4L but the condition was worsening so we requested [straight in to] 22R and to have emergency equipment standing by.I informed the flight attendants we had a flight control malfunction and would be returning to our departure airport. I gave them the time until touchdown and advised we anticipated no evacuation would be necessary as of that time. Then I performed the landing data assessment and set up the approach and appropriate speeds. An overweight landing was completed at approximately 69;000 pounds with a smooth touchdown and decent rate of less than 200 FPM. Shortly after touchdown we watched the aileron trim go to a full left deflection. We informed ATC that we would no longer need assistance and taxied to the gate with normal operations. Entries were made in the logbook for the overweight landing and trim malfunctions. After discussion on the ground we both felt that the trim indications were not the only issues with this situation.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: The flight crew of a CRJ-700 encountered uncommanded movement of rudder and aileron trim both with and without the autopilot engaged. The pilot flying stated that there was little or no feedback from manual pilot inputs and felt control of the aircraft was in jeopardy. They declared an emergency and returned to their departure airport.

Narrative: On initial climbout at approximately 1;000 FT AGL; as I was completing the after takeoff checklist I noticed a 1/4 left indication on both the rudder and aileron trim. I asked the pilot flying if he had trimmed the aircraft and he hadn't. He then centered the trims and continued the climb but; once centered; the trims deflected left again without command from the pilot flying. The autopilot was engaged and the pilot flying manipulated both trims again. They stabilized momentarily; but as we leveled off at 10;000 to accelerate; I noticed a full right rudder deflection which was not commanded. The autopilot was then disconnected and we continued to climb to 13;000 while the pilot flying tried to get a feel for the aircraft.We then decided to return to our departure airport as controllability had worsened. We were less than 30 miles out and felt that was our best option. Initially; we requested 4L but the condition was worsening so we requested [straight in to] 22R and to have Emergency Equipment standing by.I informed the flight attendants we had a flight control malfunction and would be returning to our departure airport. I gave them the time until touchdown and advised we anticipated no evacuation would be necessary as of that time. Then I performed the landing data assessment and set up the approach and appropriate speeds. An overweight landing was completed at approximately 69;000 LBS with a smooth touchdown and decent rate of less than 200 FPM. Shortly after touchdown we watched the aileron trim go to a full left deflection. We informed ATC that we would no longer need assistance and taxied to the gate with normal operations. Entries were made in the logbook for the overweight landing and trim malfunctions. After discussion on the ground we both felt that the trim indications were not the only issues with this situation.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.