Service difficulty report · Actuator · Pilats PC1245

Difficulty date
October 30, 2003
Submitted
January 5, 2004
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Pilats PC1245
Aircraft time
20 hours, 13 cycles
Engine
Pwa PT6A67B
Propeller
Hartzl HCE4A3D
Part
Actuator
Part number
9787314202
Condition
Inoperative
Location
Horizontal Trim
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

(CAN) DURING LEVEL FLIGHT, THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO INITIATE A SLOW DESCENT USING HORIZONTAL STAB PITCH TRIM AND NOTICED IT WAS INOPERATIVE. THEY TRIED TO USE THE SECONDARY (ALTERNATE) TRIM FUNCTION AND NOTICED IT WAS ALSO INOPERATIVE. THEY PERFORMED APPROPRIATE CHECK LIST FUNCTIONS AND FINISHED FLIGHT WITHOUT USE OF PITCH TRIM WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN TROUBLESHOOTING THE SYSTEM WE COULD HEAR THE MOTORS ON BOTH PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE SYSTEMS WHEN ACTIVATED BUT NO MOVEMENT WAS NOTICED. THE REST OF THE SYS WAS OK SO WE CONCLUDED THAT PITCH TRIM ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY AND HAD FAILED INTERNALLY. THE ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE SYSTEM RESUMED BEING AIRWORTHY.