AAIB Report: Pilatus PC-24, D-CMSL
Report into an incident involving a Pilatus PC-24 (D-CMSL), which experienced pitch control restriction in icing conditions, 8 nm south-east of Liverpool Airport, 9 December 2022
Screenshot from the CCTV recording, an hour prior to departure of D-CMSL
The aircraft’s elevator controls became stiff as the aircraft approached its cruising altitude, resulting in an uncommanded descent of 800 ft. The flight crew successfully applied the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedure for jammed elevator controls and full elevator control was regained during the descent. The investigation was unable to identify the cause of the stiff elevators and a detailed examination of the aircraft did not reveal any technical faults, so the likely cause was transitory.