A C208B pilot delayed the tks system two minute functional checks until on approach and experienced ...

Attributes
ACN	1189290
Time
Date	201407
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Caravan 208B
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 135
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Ice/Rain Protection System
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness

Narrative:

I was complying with my airline's requirement to test the tks system. Previous experience has taught that using it at the end of the flight reduces my exposure to the fumes sucked into the aircraft ventilation system. I turned the system on for a timed 2 minutes prior to landing. I experienced several of the symptoms listed in the kilfrost tks 406B safety data sheet. There was an immediate respiratory irritation which felt like a mild burning in my chest or upper respiratory tract and which continued while the system was operating. The system was turned off after 2 minutes of use. I landed within 3 minutes and then experienced additional symptoms to include mild headache and nausea; and dizziness that left me feeling unable to drive home for about 20 minutes. The nausea; headache and general fatigue continued for about 90 minutes. The only solution I have found acceptable is to don the oxygen mask set to 100% prior to starting the tks flow and leaving the mask on for the duration of the flight.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C208B pilot delayed the TKS System two minute functional checks until on approach and experienced immediate respiratory irritation. After landing additional symptoms included mild headache; nausea; and dizziness.

Narrative: I was complying with my airline's requirement to test the TKS System. Previous experience has taught that using it at the end of the flight reduces my exposure to the fumes sucked into the aircraft ventilation system. I turned the system ON for a timed 2 minutes prior to landing. I experienced several of the symptoms listed in the Kilfrost TKS 406B Safety Data Sheet. There was an immediate respiratory irritation which felt like a mild burning in my chest or upper respiratory tract and which continued while the system was operating. The system was turned OFF after 2 minutes of use. I landed within 3 minutes and then experienced additional symptoms to include mild headache and nausea; and dizziness that left me feeling unable to drive home for about 20 minutes. The nausea; headache and general fatigue continued for about 90 minutes. The only solution I have found acceptable is to don the oxygen mask set to 100% prior to starting the TKS flow and leaving the mask on for the duration of the flight.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.

A C208B pilot delayed the tks system two minute functional checks until on approach and experienced immediate respiratory irritation. After landing additional symptoms included mild headache; nausea; and dizziness.