Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 680 near Wheeling, IL — 2014-01-12

Final reportCEN14IA121
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Date
2014-01-12
Location
Wheeling, IL, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 680
Registration
N531RC
Category
Airplane
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The disconnection of the left elevator trim driveshaft from the trim actuator due to the elevator trim tab drive pin becoming dislodged, which resulted in full nose-down elevator trim.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while climbing to 15,000 ft mean sea level, the autopilot disengaged and the autopilot disconnect chime sounded accompanied by an "AP fail A-B" message. At this point, the flight crew decided to return to the departure airport. The pilot noted that, while trying to slow the climb, "extra" force was required to push the airplane's nose down. He attempted to apply nose-down trim but felt no change and then noted that the elevator trim tab indicator was showing full nose-down trim. He subsequently landed the airplane without incident. Following the incident, the operator tested the stabilizer trim through its full range of travel and noted no discrepancy with the system or the elevator trim tab indicator. The operator contacted the manufacturer to assist in troubleshooting the problem. They found that the connecting pin linking the drive shaft to the left elevator trim tab actuator had become dislodged, which likely caused the left elevator trim driveshaft to disconnect from the trim actuator. The operator stated that it was aware that the elevator trim tab drive shaft pin on the same make and model airplane had dislodged on two previous occasions. The manufacturer is in the process of proposing changes to the drive pin dimensions and the method of securing the pin to prevent the elevator trim tab drive pin from dislodging.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the climb earlier after autopilot disengaged.

NTSB coding

  • Flight control sys malf/fail · Enroute-cruise

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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