Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 560XL near Ocoee, FL — 2011-12-02

Final reportERA12IA097
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Date
2011-12-02
Location
Ocoee, FL, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 560XL
Registration
N576CS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

Water contamination in the pitch trim actuators.

NTSB narrative

The flight crew reported that a "pitch trim miscompare" message illuminated in the cockpit just before they were to level off at 41,000 feet mean sea level (msl). After accomplishing the checklist items and disconnecting the autopilot, the flight crew had to exert considerable forward yoke pressure to maintain level flight. The flight crew found the manual pitch trim control wheel to be "frozen" in the forward position and were unable to move it. They declared an emergency and initiated a descent. Upon reaching 8,000 feet msl, the trim wheel released and the system returned to normal. The airplane landed uneventfully. Maintenance personnel inspected the left and right pitch trim actuators and found that the grease was contaminated with water. The actuators had been inspected and lubricated within the required 1,200-hour interval.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Performing maintenance checks on elevator trim actuators before the flight.

NTSB coding

  • Flight control sys malf/fail · Enroute-climb to cruise

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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