A BE300 elevator trim failed at FL280 and a divert for maintenance was made. At 9;000 ft the system ...

Narrative:

During cruise flight at FL280 we got an annunciator showing an out of trim (elevator) situation; a yellow east with a down arrow. Following the checklist the pilot flying disconnected the autopilot while holding the controls firmly and got an immediate 'jump' in the yoke verifying an out of trim situation. With the autopilot off the pilot not flying tried to move the trim wheel with no success. The pilot not flying notified ATC and requested a clearance to a nearby airport for a maintenance check. We were cleared direct and to descend to 9;000 ft. Once level at 9;000 ft the pilot flying noticed that the electric trim was working again. After landing the pilot not flying was able to perform a check and the trim wheel moved completely aft and forward with no sticking. After a maintenance check it was determined that water had gotten into the control pins of the elevator trim. The maintenance technician removed the water lubricated the pins and replaced them according to hawker beechcraft maintenance manual. The elevator trim ops checked ok and on the next flight functioned normally.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A BE300 elevator trim failed at FL280 and a divert for maintenance was made. At 9;000 FT the system returned to normal operation. Maintenance determined that water had gotten into the control pins on the elevator trim.

Narrative: During cruise flight at FL280 we got an annunciator showing an out of trim (elevator) situation; a yellow E with a down arrow. Following the checklist the pilot flying disconnected the autopilot while holding the controls firmly and got an immediate 'jump' in the yoke verifying an out of trim situation. With the autopilot off the pilot not flying tried to move the trim wheel with no success. The pilot not flying notified ATC and requested a clearance to a nearby airport for a maintenance check. We were cleared direct and to descend to 9;000 FT. Once level at 9;000 FT the pilot flying noticed that the electric trim was working again. After landing the pilot not flying was able to perform a check and the trim wheel moved completely aft and forward with no sticking. After a maintenance check it was determined that water had gotten into the control pins of the elevator trim. The Maintenance Technician removed the water lubricated the pins and replaced them according to Hawker Beechcraft Maintenance Manual. The elevator trim ops checked ok and on the next flight functioned normally.

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	982097
Time
Date	201111
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Super King Air 300
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Elevator Trim System
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 66 Flight Crew Total 4013 Flight Crew Type 1600
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

A BE300 elevator trim failed at FL280 and a divert for maintenance was made. At 9;000 ft the system returned to normal operation. Maintenance determined that water had gotten into the control pins on the elevator trim.