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C182 pilot reported noting in flight that the aircraft's elevator trim was apparently improperly rigged at the recent 100 hr inspection; and nose-up trim would actually trim aircraft nose-down; and vice-versa.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1403726 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201611 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Elevator Trim System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Commercial |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 193 Flight Crew Total 1434 Flight Crew Type 116 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Maintenance |
Narrative:
Arrived to pick up the 'incident' aircraft; which had just completed its 100 hour maintenance inspections/checks. Conducted preflight and did not notice any issues. After preflight; filed an IFR flight plan; and started aircraft in accordance with published checklist. Once holding short of active runway; conducted run up checks to include a flight control check. All flight controls felt normal; and control surfaces were operating to standard. Received clearance for takeoff and departed for filed destination. Aircraft trim was set for takeoff position; so aircraft climbed as expected. While setting aircraft up for cruise climb and then eventually cruise flight; it was determined that the elevator trim wheel (mechanical trim wheel) was rigged backwards. Likely occurred during 100 hour maintenance when elevator trim components were taken apart for lubrication; and incorrectly reassembled. There was no binding; restrictions; or any other flight control issues. When attempting to apply nose down trim for cruise climb and cruise flight; control pressures would increase and nose would climb. The incorrect rigging was immediately diagnosed; and began applying opposite direction trim to maintain aircraft control. Maintained positive control of aircraft throughout the event. Continued to use opposite direction trim during flight until arriving at destination; which was a better option compared to departure airfield where LLWS and turbulence were present. Pilot was also more familiar with destination airport and felt a more stabilized approach could be conducted so emphasis on correct trim wheel inputs would be possible. To prevent this from occurring again; recommend maintenance facilities double check rigging procedure of trim during reassembly. Also recommend development of a post 100 hour acceptance checklist; which contains more detailed checks for items that were disassembled/assembled during maintenance. During normal preflight/run-up/flight control checks utilizing the published checklist; there is no emphasis or method given to determine the correct rigging of trim. The extent of the checklist for trim is 'ensuring trim set to takeoff position.'
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: C182 pilot reported noting in flight that the aircraft's elevator trim was apparently improperly rigged at the recent 100 hr inspection; and nose-up trim would actually trim aircraft nose-down; and vice-versa.
Narrative: Arrived to pick up the 'incident' aircraft; which had just completed its 100 hour maintenance inspections/checks. Conducted preflight and did not notice any issues. After preflight; filed an IFR flight plan; and started aircraft in accordance with published checklist. Once holding short of active runway; conducted run up checks to include a flight control check. All flight controls felt normal; and control surfaces were operating to standard. Received clearance for takeoff and departed for filed destination. Aircraft trim was set for takeoff position; so aircraft climbed as expected. While setting aircraft up for cruise climb and then eventually cruise flight; it was determined that the elevator trim wheel (mechanical trim wheel) was rigged backwards. Likely occurred during 100 hour maintenance when elevator trim components were taken apart for lubrication; and incorrectly reassembled. There was no binding; restrictions; or any other flight control issues. When attempting to apply nose down trim for cruise climb and cruise flight; control pressures would increase and nose would climb. The incorrect rigging was immediately diagnosed; and began applying opposite direction trim to maintain aircraft control. Maintained positive control of aircraft throughout the event. Continued to use opposite direction trim during flight until arriving at destination; which was a better option compared to departure airfield where LLWS and turbulence were present. Pilot was also more familiar with destination airport and felt a more stabilized approach could be conducted so emphasis on correct trim wheel inputs would be possible. To prevent this from occurring again; recommend maintenance facilities double check rigging procedure of trim during reassembly. Also recommend development of a post 100 hour acceptance checklist; which contains more detailed checks for items that were disassembled/assembled during maintenance. During normal preflight/run-up/flight control checks utilizing the published checklist; there is no emphasis or method given to determine the correct rigging of trim. The extent of the checklist for trim is 'ensuring trim set to takeoff position.'
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.