Service difficulty report · Autopilot Sys · Mooney M20C

Difficulty date
April 11, 2012
Submitted
April 16, 2012
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N5888Q
Make and model
Mooney M20C
Aircraft serial
3152
Aircraft time
4,200 hours
Engine
Lyc O360*
Part
Autopilot Sys
Part number
STEC50
Condition
Malfunctioned
Part time
1,000 hours
Stage of operation
DE
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
F
Precautionary procedure
O

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

DISCONNECTED AUTOPILOT AND HAND FLEW ACFT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. SHORTLY AFTER INITIATING DESCENT TO LAND, AILERONS BEGAN TO "SEIZE." ELEVATOR STILL HAD FULL MOVEMENT, THEN IT ALSO BEGAN TO SEIZE. IT TOOK ABOUT FIVE TO TEN SECONDS TO LOSE AILERON AUTHORITY, THEN ELEVATOR AUTHORITY. STILL HAD FULL RUDDER AUTHORITY. HAD TO MAKE EMERGENCY LANDING WITH ONLY A FEW DEGREES OF OPERABLE AILERON AND ELEVATOR. CONTROLLED AIRPLANE WITH RUDDER AND THROTTLE. LANDED WITHOUT DAMAGE OR INJURY. DISCOVERED ON THE GROUND THAT A/P HAD RE-ENGAGED AND THAT SERVO CLUTCHES HAD "FROZEN." DID NOT ATTEMPT TO DISCONNECT A/P IN FLIGHT BECAUSE DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS ON.

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