C560XL Elevator Flutter
09-29-2009, 06:56 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: KING AIR E90, B200, CE560XL
Posts: 31
C560XL Elevator Flutter
Anyone ever heard of the Excel having flutter issues with the elevators? Ran across an Excel I was interested in an it was an issue----think it 's isolated. In all my research this is a first in this aircraft that I have found. If anyone has ever heard of this happening with this plane please do tell!
09-30-2009, 06:00 AM
#3
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Joined APC: Aug 2009
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Posts: 36
We experienced a pretty good elevator vibration in an Excel (XLS actually). We were climbing out and while accelerating through about 230 the yokes began vibrating (about half what the stick-shaker would feel like). It smoothed out as we climbed at 250 and we called maintenance. It was not evident during the arrival.
We met the Citation Mobile Service mechanic the next day as he was replacing the four elevator trim attachment bolts (2 bolts per each tab). I was surprised to learn that these bolts are not supported by bearings or even bushings. He checked cable routing and tensions, but these bolts were noticably worn. He told us that this was fairly common after about 2,000 hours. The test flight was uneventful.
Based on the mecanics awareness of this issue and his confidence in the fix I believe this is what happened.
We met the Citation Mobile Service mechanic the next day as he was replacing the four elevator trim attachment bolts (2 bolts per each tab). I was surprised to learn that these bolts are not supported by bearings or even bushings. He checked cable routing and tensions, but these bolts were noticably worn. He told us that this was fairly common after about 2,000 hours. The test flight was uneventful.
Based on the mecanics awareness of this issue and his confidence in the fix I believe this is what happened.
09-30-2009, 10:23 AM
#4
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Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: KING AIR E90, B200, CE560XL
Posts: 31
Originally Posted by EXTW
Was this event at high speed or at all speeds? Trim tab flutter? How many hours on the airframe?
Not for sure what the speeds were and the mx tech didn't know. If it was a situation where they exceeded red line then I can see this possibly happening. If it was at any speed ---then I'm concerned. Time on airframe was 3000 hrs.
10-07-2009, 12:47 PM
#8
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Posts: 36
Originally Posted by ce650
Were you in icing? Reason I ask is our excell will buzz the yoke with just a little ice if you don't run the tail ice.
Good point, but nope, no icing conditions were encountered. I wish I had kept the old bolts. They all exhibited "ruts" where they were worn and the trim tabs would have had a fair amount of play in them.
