Service difficulty report · Pitot Tube · Piper PA23250

Difficulty date
November 17, 1999
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
Air carrier
Make and model
Piper PA23250
Engine
Lyc IO540C4B5
Propeller
Hartzl HCE2YR2
Part
Pitot Tube
Part number
3021603
Condition
Frozen
Location
Lt Wing
Part time
7,072 hours
Stage of operation
CR
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) THE PRE-TAKEOFF RUN UP AND TAKEOFF WAS DURING WET SLUSHY RUNWAY CONDITIONS DURING SNOW. AFTER CLIMB IN CRUISE, THE A.S.I. WAS LOST. THE PILOT HAD PUT PITOT HEAT ON AT TAKEOFF, NOT DURING RUN UPS AND TAXIING. AIRSPEED CAME ON DURING DESCENT TO SEPT-ISLES. ON RETURN FLIGHT, A.S.I. JUMPED TO 250 MPH AND BACK TO 150 MPH, BUT REMAINED OK FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP. MAINTENANCE DISCONNECTED THE LINE TO THE A.S.I. AND FOUND WATER DROPLETS INSIDE. SUBMITTER STATED THE PITOT TUBE IS LOW ON THIS AIRCRAFT, THEREFORE, SHOULD HAVE HEAT ON RIGHT FROM START.

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