Service difficulty report · Software · Pilats PC1247

Difficulty date
February 10, 2010
Submitted
February 12, 2010
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N707MS
Make and model
Pilats PC1247
Aircraft serial
1159
Aircraft time
75 hours, 77 cycles
Engine
Pwa PT6A67
Engine time
75 hours, 77 cycles
Part
Software
Part number
70244401901
Condition
Defective
Location
Autopilot Sys
Part time
75 hours, 75 cycles
Stage of operation
TO
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
F, P
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

AFTER DEPARTURE, WITH THE AUTO PILOT COUPLED AND CLIMBING THRU 1500 FT. IN A LEFT TURN, THE YAW DAMP HAD A HARD OVER TO THE LEFT AND DISENGAGED THE AUTO PILOT. THE AUTO PILOT AND YAW DAMP FAILED TO RE-ENGAGE. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. AFTER LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS WITH PILATUS AND HONEYWELL TECH SUPPORT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN ADDITIONAL UPGRADE TO THE MAU WAS NEEDED. BUILD 5 IN THIS AIRCRAFT IS THE CURRENT HARDWARE INSTALLED AT THIS TIME WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEW. THE INSTALLATION OF BUILD 6 UPGRADES THE PITCH AND YAW CONTROL ALONG WITH OTHER FUNCTIONS. ADVISED BY HONEYWELL THAT THERE HAS BEEN, AND STILL IS, NUMEROUS ERRORS IN THE SYSTEM THAT THE MAU DETECTS, OR DOES NOT DETECT.