Service difficulty report · Control Unit · Cvac 580

Difficulty date
December 12, 2003
Submitted
January 5, 2004
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Cvac 580
Engine
Allsn 501D13D
Part
Control Unit
Condition
Jammed
Location
Aileron
Stage of operation
CR
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) ON FLT, AUTO-PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE AC DIRECTION, AUTO-PILOT WAS DISCONNECTED AND CREW DISCOVER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO MOVE AILERON CONTROL WHEEL. THEY MOVED TRIM AND SUDDENLY AILERON CONTROL WHEEL TURNED, CONTROL WHEEL DID NOT JAM AGAIN. AFTER ARRIVAL, INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT LT AILERON CONTROL (FUSELAGE) PRESSURE SEAL WAS COATED WITH A .7500 INCH COAT OF ICE. ICE WAS MELTED AND WATER DRYED. WE DISCOVERED THAT ONE CARGO CONTAINER WAS LOADED WITH SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW, WHICH MELTED AND DRIPPED UNDER FLOOR ON CONTROL CABLES ON THE LT SIDE. WE SEALED FLOOR PANEL 5 FEET FORWARD AND AFT OF CONTROL CABLES. AN INSP WAS CARRIED OUT FOR TWO FOLLOWING FLIGHTS AND NO ICE OR WATER WHERE FOUND IN AREA.