Service difficulty report · Actuator · Pilats PC1245

Difficulty date
March 13, 2003
Submitted
April 14, 2003
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Pilats PC1245
Aircraft time
3,540 hours
Engine
Pwa PT6A67B
Propeller
Hartzl HCE4A3D
Part
Actuator
Condition
Seized
Location
Pitch Trim
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

(CAN) FLIGHT CREW HAD A AUTOPILOT DISCONNECT IN CRUISE FLIGHT THEY SHUT DOWN AUTOPILOT SYSTEM AND CONTINUED FLIGHT HOME. MAINTENANCE TESTED AUTOPILOT SYSTEM AFTER RESETTING C/B AND SYSTEM WORKED AS PER M/M.THEY THEN CARRIED OUT THE TEST ON THE HORIZONTAL STAB TRIM, WHEN THEY GOT TO THE PROCEDURE TO TESTTHE ALTERNATE TRIM THEY FOUND IT TO BE U/S. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE SECONDARY MOTOR WAS SEIZED. A REPLACEMENT UNIT WAS INSTALLED AND TESTED SERVICEABLE.PITCH TRIMACTUATOR HAD 808.7 HR S AND 890 CYCLES. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE WE HAVE HAD ON THESE UNITS WITH LESS THAN 1000 HRS.