JS41, en-route, North West of Aberdeen UK, 2008

JS41, en-route, North West of Aberdeen UK, 2008

Summary

On 9 April 2008, a BAe Jetstream 41 departed Aberdeen in snow and freezing conditions after the Captain had elected not to have the airframe de/anti iced having noted had noted the delay this would incur. During the climb in IMC, pitch control became problematic and an emergency was declared. Full control was subsequently regained in warmer air. The Investigation concluded that it was highly likely that prior to take off, slush and/or ice had been present on the horizontal tail surfaces and that, as the aircraft entered colder air at altitude, this contamination had restricted the mechanical pitch control.

Description

On 9 April 2008, an Eastern Airways BAe Jetstream 41 operating a passenger charter flight departed Aberdeen for Vagar, Faroe Islands in snow and freezing conditions, but had not been de-iced and anti-iced appropriately. After takeoff the flight proceeded uneventfully until the autopilot pitch trim warning illuminated during the climb in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). The crew concluded that the elevator had become jammed because of ice. A MAYDAY call was made to ATC, stating that the crew were having problems with the elevator controls and that they did not have full control of the aircraft in pitch. The crew then used changes in power and higher forces on the elevator controls to gain sufficient control to descend into warmer air, where the ice melted. The aircraft then completed a diversion to Wick without further problems.

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