A C560XL trim warning annunciated on approach and when the autopilot was disconnected the elevator b...

Narrative:

While on a visual approach a trim warning annunciator illuminated when the autopilot was engaged. The crew disconnected the autopilot and discovered the trim was stuck/difficult to move. The trim would not adjust when using the electric switch and was difficult to move using the manual trim wheel. While the trim issue was occurring ATC made numerous radio calls to point out visual traffic that added to crew member distraction. The aircraft was kept under control and even though the aircraft was in a stable approach the crew declared an emergency. The landing was uneventful and the crew taxied the aircraft to the FBO. In order to relieve themselves of separation responsibility; ATC often makes numerous calls to the same aircraft to point out conflicting aircraft. In this case; the crew was trying to determine the severity of the situation while ATC kept calling in an almost harassing manner. ATC was not aware of our situation at the time of their calls; however; ATC called approximately five times in less than a minute. Part of the decision to declare an emergency was to put ATC on notice that the crew was too busy to talk on the radio. ATC should limit the number of calls they make to one aircraft to merely point out traffic.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C560XL TRIM warning annunciated on approach and when the autopilot was disconnected the elevator became stuck and the trim wheel nearly frozen. A great deal of pilot elevator input was required until at approach speed when an emergency was declared.

Narrative: While on a visual approach a trim warning annunciator illuminated when the autopilot was engaged. The crew disconnected the autopilot and discovered the trim was stuck/difficult to move. The trim would not adjust when using the electric switch and was difficult to move using the manual trim wheel. While the trim issue was occurring ATC made numerous radio calls to point out visual traffic that added to crew member distraction. The aircraft was kept under control and even though the aircraft was in a stable approach the crew declared an emergency. The landing was uneventful and the crew taxied the aircraft to the FBO. In order to relieve themselves of separation responsibility; ATC often makes numerous calls to the same aircraft to point out conflicting aircraft. In this case; the crew was trying to determine the severity of the situation while ATC kept calling in an almost harassing manner. ATC was not aware of our situation at the time of their calls; however; ATC called approximately five times in less than a minute. Part of the decision to declare an emergency was to put ATC on notice that the crew was too busy to talk on the radio. ATC should limit the number of calls they make to one aircraft to merely point out traffic.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	969142
Time
Date	201109
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Citation Excel (C560XL)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 135
Flight Phase	Landing
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Elevator Trim System
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

A C560XL trim warning annunciated on approach and when the autopilot was disconnected the elevator became stuck and the trim wheel nearly frozen. A great deal of pilot elevator input was required until at approach speed when an emergency was declared.