CE525 pilot experiences a sudden climb from FL430 with the autopilot engaged in altitude hold mode and with no audible warning. It is thought that inadvertent autopilot pitch trim activation may have caused the deviation.
Synopsis
CE525 pilot experiences a sudden climb from FL430 with the autopilot engaged in altitude hold mode and with no audible warning. It is thought that inadvertent autopilot pitch trim activation may have caused the deviation.
Narrative
[We were] cruising at FL430 for 17 minutes. Autopilot in altitude hold mode. Suddenly it was noticed that aircraft started climbing without any audio warning in spite of altitude hold mode. Climb rate swiftly increased to 900 FPM. Immediately took corrective action to hand correct back to FL430. Altitude deviation was estimated to be some 1;500 FT. Only after descent corrective action in place ATC inquired for cause.Both pilots immediately analyzed what could have caused the deviation (equipment malfunction or other). It was concluded that one possible cause could be that an inadvertent touching of the autopilot pitch trim wheel (on center pedestal left side) might have been of influence. When PIC turns or moves sideways his/her hip can come in contact with the pitch trim thumb wheel. The Collins Proline 21 autopilot's pitch trim wheel has no protection to the side like for instance many King Airs have with a little 'fence' around the center console.Corrective Action: a) CJ2 OM (Operating Manual; page 2-73) states (if voice annunciator system is installed; which is the case in this aircraft) 'ALTITUDE' callout will be heard if the airplane deviates over 300 FT from the selected altitude. The manual does not indicate more specifically the alarm condition and altitude deviation; whether by turbulence or a deviation by pitch wheel. Immediate after landing contact with Cessna Service Center revealed that there seems to be no altitude deviation audio alarm by this Collins system for this case.b) Contact with the Collins representative revealed that THERE IS AN AUDIO ALARM FOR AN ALTITUDE DEVIATION OF OVER 300 FT WITH ALTITUDE HOLD ENGAGED. But duplication of the situation later in the flight when ATC cleared us to FL450 gave no alarm.c) An improvement would be possible with a mechanical 'protection' to avoid inadvertent thumb wheel contact. Cessna has been contacted to see if such a modification is available. A date is now set to bring the aircraft to the Cessna Service Center to see if such a solution can be found.
Second reporter narrative
We where cruising FL430 for about 17 minutes on AR3 HDG south direct to CARPX and the autopilot was selected in LNV1/ALT hold mode. Suddenly I (pilot not flying) noticed that the aircraft started climbing without any aural and/or visual warning with the autopilot still in the engaged ALT hold mode. Climb swiftly increased to 900 FPM. I took control to make a corrective action to hand correct back to F430. Altitude deviation was estimated to be approximate 1;500 FT. After starting descent corrective action in place; ATC inquired for altitude. During this action I perceived that the PIC could have bumped with his hip unintentional the pitch thumbwheel of the autopilot panel which is located on the left side of the central pedestal very closed to the PIC seat.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.