 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
CE560XL flight crew describes an apparent jammed elevator during climb passing FL200 with the captain flying. A 'pitch trim' light is annunciated initially and the crew discovers the pitch trim is full nose down with the aircraft needing more to maintain a stable climb. The first officer's aid is requested by the captain to help control the aircraft pitch. The flight diverts to a suitable airport.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1226616 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201412 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | IMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Citation Excel (C560XL) |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Elevator Trim System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Not Flying First Officer |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence |
Narrative:
I was pilot monitoring and while climbing out at FL200 we received an amber 'pitch trim' annunciator. We followed the checklist and determined that something was wrong with a primary or secondary flight control system. The aircraft indicated full nose down trim but the plane was still climbing. The PIC requested my help with the flight controls; as they were very heavy. I notified ATC that we have an emergency and that I was unable to hold assigned altitude. I actually requested a climb as well to get us out of icing as well and get us into VMC. As this was happening; I also manually activated the tail deicing boots just to make sure that icing wasn't the problem. We requested vectors to nearest airport. Unfortunately the weather (wx) there was marginal VFR so we decided to go to ZZZ as the wx was better and it was about an equal time there. We did not want to do an ILS with flight control problems. I requested crash fire rescue equipment be standing by at landing; and we then landed without further incident. I have had three emergencies in this type of aircraft; all three were for flight control malfunctions. I believe that there is a systemic problem with this type aircraft that needs to be addressed.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: CE560XL Flight Crew describes an apparent jammed elevator during climb passing FL200 with the Captain flying. A 'pitch trim' light is annunciated initially and the crew discovers the pitch trim is full nose down with the aircraft needing more to maintain a stable climb. The First Officer's aid is requested by the Captain to help control the aircraft pitch. The flight diverts to a suitable airport.
Narrative: I was pilot monitoring and while climbing out at FL200 we received an amber 'pitch trim' Annunciator. We followed the checklist and determined that something was wrong with a primary or secondary flight control system. The aircraft indicated full nose down trim but the plane was still climbing. The PIC requested my help with the flight controls; as they were very heavy. I notified ATC that we have an emergency and that I was unable to hold assigned altitude. I actually requested a climb as well to get us out of icing as well and get us into VMC. As this was happening; I also manually activated the tail deicing boots just to make sure that icing wasn't the problem. We requested vectors to nearest airport. Unfortunately the weather (wx) there was marginal VFR so we decided to go to ZZZ as the wx was better and it was about an equal time there. We did not want to do an ILS with flight control problems. I requested CFR be standing by at landing; and we then landed without further incident. I have had three emergencies in this type of aircraft; all three were for flight control malfunctions. I believe that there is a systemic problem with this type aircraft that needs to be addressed.
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.