CE680A pilot reported aileron control anomaly during approach and stated they had experienced a similar anomaly on another of the company's aircraft.

Date: 2024-01 · Aircraft: Citation Latitude (C680A) · Phase: approach

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical

Synopsis

CE680A pilot reported aileron control anomaly during approach and stated they had experienced a similar anomaly on another of the company's aircraft.

Narrative

At approximately 500 ft. AGL on approach into ZZZ; I turned off the autopilot. Once I turned off the autopilot; there was a significant manual force needed to overcome what felt like control binding when actuating ailerons left or right of center. After landing; the aileron control binding was still felt. This was the third repeat for this particular discrepancy. I was able to read the Day 1 discrepancy in the logbook and it appeared to be exactly what I experienced. It also referenced being a repeat from a Day 0 discrepancy. After documenting the discrepancy; I emailed the Chief Pilot; as I was unsure of whether contact was required. They later replied that contact was not required because I did not divert or declare an emergency. Of note; if I had this issue at a higher altitude with more time in flight remaining; the decision to declare or not declare an emergency may have been different. I did not call for a go around because the aircraft was controllable--with substantial effort required for aileron control when transitioning through center/neutral. I also felt that maintaining the stabilized approach for the remaining 500 ft. was safer than attempting a go around with a flight control condition that may or may not change in severity if the flight continued longer than necessary. I did not use the JAMMED PITCH/ROLL QRC. This event was not similar to the jammed controls that I have experienced during training in the simulator. During training; the affected control will not move during the event; making aircraft control impossible without actuating the Pitch/Roll Disconnect. This event was different; as the controls would move; it just took substantially more pressure to get the ailerons to move from center/neutral. This caused over-controlling after getting the ailerons to move through center resulting in a degraded; but controllable condition. My experience with aircraft maintenance on my last four flying tours is quite concerning. Of my last four tours; I had either significant and/or repeat discrepancies on three of them as follows (in chronological order): 1) Repeat discrepancy on Aircraft Y from ZZZ1-ZZZ2. I believe that was WSHLD HEAT INOP L. I cannot recall exactly what the CAS message was with confidence; only that it was a repeat discrepancy appearing for the third time that prompted me to contact the Chief Pilot in flight and inquire about a diversion. That resulted in a divert to ZZZ2 for maintenance. 2) I then had one tour that did not have any memorable maintenance issues. 3) The following tour; I had a Gear Disagree (L or R--I don't recall which; but believe it was R) on Aircraft Z going into ZZZ3. I filed a report related to the gear event. 4) My most recent tour; I had a repeat discrepancy for a flight control issue; which is the catalyst for this report. All three of these events happened in only 10 calendar days (not consecutive days) of flying. The remaining duty days on those four tours did not include a flight assignment. Alone; I would likely focus on introspection and how to better handle any one of these events should something similar occur at a future time. However; the frequency of these maintenance-related issues does not suggest an effective maintenance program nor is it indicative of a robust safety culture. My concerns are further justified when viewed through the lens of the recent event on another company's aircraft. Based on the available information; it appears that the aircraft that lost a plug causing a depressurization event had pressurization related CAS messages on multiple previous flights. I recommend our company inspect every piece related to the aileron system on this aircraft and replace anything that is showing any indication of wear or malfunction prior to returning it to service. I would also recommend a review of the previous process that allowed the aircraft to return to service after a repeat of the aileron issue. A review/audit of a sample of repeat discrepancies wouldalso be warranted to ensure our company's administration of their maintenance program is not imposing a safety risk on the operation due to not handling repeat discrepancies in an effective manner. Again; the consistency and magnitude of the maintenance events are concerning to me. Two out of my most recent four flight tours involved aircraft with repeat discrepancies--one being a flight control malfunction. Another one of those tours involved a gear malfunction. I think it is critical that our company take swift; decisive action to address this safety threat.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.