Learjet 45 flight crew experienced a primary pitch trim failure on an RNAV departure; declared an em...

Attributes
ACN	1078920
Time
Date	201304
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.TRACON
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Learjet 45
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Route In Use	SID ZZZZZ
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Elevator Trim System
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45 Flight Crew Total 11250 Flight Crew Type 450
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control

Narrative:

[We] experienced primary pitch trim failure upon gear up call. As the aircraft accelerated; it became more and more difficult to maintain control and; of course; the autopilot would not work. Combine this situation with the fact that [while] on an RNAV SID we are expected to follow it precisely. Not knowing the best way to communicate with ATC concerning this; we declared an emergency. In my opinion; since we had recovered the aircraft with secondary trim; it was not really an emergency per se; but we did not want to be confined with trying to perform the RNAV SID. We may have been able to talk with ATC and try to explain all of this; however the 'e word' came quick and easy and with one word it was done. Of course we climbed to a safe altitude and did all the QRH procedures and returned to base successfully. There is much guidance on how to fly an RNAV SID normally; but not much in the way of when it is abnormal and time is at a premium. An engine failure here would have been easier but a flight control/jammed stab is entirely different and more demanding. It would be great if ATC had a word for a navigation emergency or such; just to be clear as to the nature of things.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Learjet 45 flight crew experienced a primary pitch trim failure on an RNAV departure; declared an emergency; regained control with secondary trim; and returned to base.

Narrative: [We] experienced primary pitch trim failure upon gear up call. As the aircraft accelerated; it became more and more difficult to maintain control and; of course; the autopilot would not work. Combine this situation with the fact that [while] on an RNAV SID we are expected to follow it precisely. Not knowing the best way to communicate with ATC concerning this; we declared an emergency. In my opinion; since we had recovered the aircraft with secondary trim; it was not really an emergency per se; but we did not want to be confined with trying to perform the RNAV SID. We may have been able to talk with ATC and try to explain all of this; however the 'e word' came quick and easy and with one word it was done. Of course we climbed to a safe altitude and did all the QRH procedures and returned to base successfully. There is much guidance on how to fly an RNAV SID normally; but not much in the way of when it is abnormal and time is at a premium. An engine failure here would have been easier but a flight control/jammed stab is entirely different and more demanding. It would be great if ATC had a word for a navigation emergency or such; just to be clear as to the nature of things.

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.