An A320 had abnormal pitch control during takeoff and climb; with continuous forward pressure requir...

Narrative:

Normal VFR takeoff. At vr the nose was very light and aircraft rotated aggressively. Climb was normal until about FL220. Captain (PF) commented that aircraft required more than normal down pressure to hold nose at required pitch for the managed climb. We asked ATC for a block altitude between 24000 and 26000. Leveled at 24000 and engaged autopilot. Autopilot held aircraft level at 24000 but as soon as AP1 was disconnected; aircraft would begin a 6000fpm climb. With AP1 engaged; leveled at 26000. Contacted maintenance control for any input they might have on situation. No ECAM faults or messages. Status page was empty. Maintenance pulled up our telemetry with no adverse indications. Maintenance along with captain and myself mutually decided that a precautionary landing be made at an airport that was within 70 miles. Communicated with flight attendants and passengers. Confirmed dispatcher again to make sure they knew diverting. Normal descent and approach to flap three landing after visual approach. Maintenance found elac #2 and accelerometer to be reason for diversion.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An A320 had abnormal pitch control during takeoff and climb; with continuous forward pressure required on the side stick to maintain constant pitch. Crew diverted for maintenance where a faulty ELAC #2 accelerometer was diagnosed.

Narrative: Normal VFR takeoff. At Vr The nose was very light and aircraft rotated aggressively. Climb was normal until about FL220. Captain (PF) commented that Aircraft required more than normal down pressure to hold nose at required pitch for the managed climb. We asked ATC for a block altitude between 24000 and 26000. Leveled at 24000 and engaged autopilot. Autopilot held Aircraft level at 24000 but as soon as AP1 was disconnected; Aircraft would begin a 6000fpm climb. With AP1 engaged; leveled at 26000. Contacted Maintenance Control for any input they might have on situation. No ECAM faults or messages. Status page was empty. Maintenance pulled up our telemetry with no adverse indications. Maintenance along with Captain and myself mutually decided that a precautionary landing be made at an airport that was within 70 miles. Communicated with Flight Attendants and Passengers. Confirmed Dispatcher again to make sure they knew Diverting. Normal descent and approach to flap three landing after visual approach. Maintenance found ELAC #2 and accelerometer to be reason for diversion.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	966523
Time
Date	201108
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A319
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	FCC (Flight Control Computer)
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

An A320 had abnormal pitch control during takeoff and climb; with continuous forward pressure required on the side stick to maintain constant pitch. Crew diverted for maintenance where a faulty elac #2 accelerometer was diagnosed.