Service difficulty report · Jackscrew · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
July 9, 2003
Submitted
August 22, 2003
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N42WP
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
318252038
Engine
Lyc TIO540*
Part
Jackscrew
Condition
Binding
Location
Elevator Trim
Stage of operation
TX
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
D

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

What was found

WHILE DEPARTING, ELEVATOR TRIM WHEEL JAMMED AND PILOT WAS UNABLE TO FREE SYSTEM. ELEVATOR TRIM WAS STUCK IN A NOSE DOWN CONFIGURATION. PILOT WAS ABLE TO COUNTERACT TRIM PRESSURES AND CONTINUED TO WHERE AIRPORT EMERGENCY CREWS WERE AVAILABLE. MAINTENANCE FOUND THE ELEVATOR TRIM JACK SCREW BOUND UP TO TRIM CABLE DRUM. JACK SCREW WAS DISCONNECTED FROM TAB AND FUNCTIONED WITH NO PROBLEMS. MAINTENANCE RERIGGED ELEVATOR TRIM SYSTEM IAW SM. FLIGHT CHECK WAS COMPLIED WITH GOOD RESULTS. AC WAS RELEASED TO OPERATIONS. INSPECTORS MET AC ON LANDING, INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED, ACCUMULATIVE WEAR IN SYSTEM ALLOWED THE ELEVTOR TAB JACKSREW TO EXCEED ITS NORMAL LIMIT CAUSING THE JAM. NO RECENT WORK HAD BEEN DONE.

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