Service difficulty report · Chain · Cessna 550

Difficulty date
April 30, 2005
Submitted
July 11, 2005
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Cessna 550
Aircraft time
13,487 hours
Engine
Pwa JT15D4
Part
Chain
Part number
556544054
Condition
Misinstalled
Location
Trim Control
Component
Actuator · Cessna
Component part number
556545054
Stage of operation
CL
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
F, J
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

(CAN) DURING MAJOR INSP, TRIM ACTUATOR WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED. WHEN ENGINEER MOUNTED TRIM CONTROL CABLE CHAIN ONTO ACTUATOR SPROCKET, INSTALLED OPPOSITE TO WAY IT WAS REMOVED. THIS CAUSED ELEV TRIM CONTROL SYS TO WORK BACKWARDS. MM DOES NOT FULLY DESCRIBE INSTALLATION OF CHAIN ON SPROCKET AND IT IS EASY TO INSTALL IT INCORRECTLY. PERSONS DOING DUAL INSPECTION OF THE SYS FAILED TO RECOGNIZE ERROR BECAUSE OF HUMAN FACTORS. ERROR WAS NOT CAUGHT UNTIL AIRCRAFT WAS TEST FLOWN WHEN HEAVIER THAN NORMAL CONTROL FORCES WERE REQUIRED TO CONTROL PITCH. RATHER THAN TROUBLESHOOT PROBLEM CREW ELECTED TO RETURN IMMEDIATELY AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. BECAUSE OF NATURE OF THE DIFFICULTY DECLARED AN EMERGENCY.

More about the Cessna 550