Service difficulty report · Solenoid · Beech C90A

Difficulty date
December 9, 2003
Submitted
March 1, 2004
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Beech C90A
Aircraft time
5,994 hours
Engine
Pwa PT6A21
Propeller
Hartzl HCB3TN3
Part
Solenoid
Part number
7173
Condition
Sticking
Location
Rudder Boost
Stage of operation
AP
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 LOWERING OF THE LANDING GEAR, UNSCHEDULED YAW WAS NOTICED BY THE CREW AND UPON LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DIFFICULT TO TAXI. THE RUDDER SYSTEM RECEIVES THE INPUT FROM THE RUDDER BOOST SOLENOID. AS THEY ARE LOCATED IN AN UNHEATED AREA OF THE AIRCRAFT, THE MOISTURE IN THE COLD AND HUMID INSTRUMENT AIR SUPPLY TENDS TO FREEZE THE SOLENOID AND STICK. WHEN THE SOLENOID STICKS OPEN, THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOM IS HEAVY RUDDER INPUT, WHILE TAXIING. THUS THE PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY ON THE GROUND. THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED, GROUND RUN CARRIED OUT AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS RELEASED TO SERVICE.

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