SDR 97ZZZX4371

Service difficulty report · Bearing · Gulstm GIV

Difficulty date
June 1, 1997
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N575SF
Make and model
Gulstm GIV
Aircraft serial
1233
Part
Bearing
Part number
1159C20157
Condition
Froze
Location
Elevator Trim
Stage of operation
CR
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

FLIGHT FROM PERTH TO MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, PILOT DISCOVERED ELEVATOR/TRIM SYSTEM INOPERATIVE WHEN AN ATTEMPT TO SEEK A LOWER ALTITUDE. APPEARED AS THOUGH THE ELEVATOR SYSTEM WAS FROZEN. THE SYSTEM BECAME FREE AT A LOWER ALTITUDE AND A SAFE LANDING WAS MADE. DURING A POST-FLIGHT INSPECTION, EXAMINATION OF THE COMPLETE TAIL COMPARTMENT ELEVATOR SYSTEM REVEALED NO DEFECTS OR ABNORMALITIES THAT WOULD CAUSE THE PROBLEM. THE TWO PREVIOUS DAYS IN PERTH, THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN TWO FULL DAYS OF HEAVY RAINS. IT IS SUBMITTER'S CONTENTION THAT WATER MADE ITS WAY INTO THE BUNGEE (BEARING PN 1159C20157 AT FLIGHT STATION 765) MECHANISM; THUS, FREEZING AT ALTITUDE WHICH WOULD IMPEDE ELEVATOR/TRIM OPERATIONS.