Tried looking through the threads for a fail like mine, but didn't find another person with the same troubles as me.
I have a 2012 Honda Civic Sedan.

Anyway, I had a fairly straightened-out paperclip laying on the compartment on top of the steering wheel (not sure what this is called) against the instrument panel. I found out today that half of it was in between the gap the panel and the compartment above the steering wheel. I tried to tenderly pull it out, but as soon as I thought I had it, it fell through completely. I tried moving the steering wheel around to see if it will fall out or move around but I haven't heard much noise yet.

I am a complete noob so I'm not sure what to do. Should I just wait for the paperclip to fall out as I see that there are gaps beneath the compartment (where the steering wheel column and stuff is)? Or do I have to take the whole thing apart (and when I mean I, I mean probably a professional)?

I tried to stick my hand up in that gap but didn't feel anything but wires and rubber. Any help would be appreciated since I have no idea what damage a small paperclip could do (any? none?).

 

i knew someone that this exact same thing happened to the paper clip lodged into the steering rack and the driver lost control spun out and crashed head on into a Staples supply store truck.when the airbag went off it shot the same paper clip that caused the accident rite into there head they were killed instantly. till this day i have irrational fears of staples and paper clips also office supply stores.

 

This is probably naive of me, but I can't tell if you're serious or not.

 

of course not silly isn't your car drive by wire because the paper clip could possibly short out the steering causing you to drive through a staples supply store.