<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Guys</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Yesterday on my 4th flight of the day
my PCM Stylus went nuts. PCM program was set for idle throttle and about
5-6 clicks(trim wise) of up elevator-all other surfaces neutral, and this
was tested as such by turning off the transmitter. As I passed by
center I noticed that I could not gain altitude and the the throttle started
going from idle to high...then ailerons started oscillating small left-right
deflections. I cut the throttle to the kill position but the engine persisted
up-down bursts. I was able to do a 180 degree turn with aileron coming
back to center...never losing altitude, but unable to change the altitude,elevator
seemed unresponsive. As I passed by center again I was losing more and
more control. The plane flew over the wooded area south of the field at
about 200 feet high, I could not turn and the ailerons rolled the plane
upside down and it went straight down into the trees. This whole episode
last about 45 seconds. Cannot find the plane, and remnants of Gustav are
headed my way.</font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Plane was new had about 10 flights on
it.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">New battery..NiMH 5 cell pack -no regulator
(ran 5 cell packs for years, no regulator) </font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Reciever-1999 Stylus PCM-never crashed,
wrapped in foam</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">New switch</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Transmitter-1999 Stylus, never been
serviced, never had problems</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif"><b>What would cause a PCM receiver to
do such a thing?</b> If I had and intermittent signal, once the receiver
did get a signal the only two throttle signals should have been idle (PCM
hold) and off (transmitter). I am going to send the transmitter in
just to get checked.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Thanks guys....<br>
<br>
<br>
Gray Fowler<br>
Senior Principal Chemical Engineer<br>
Radomes and Specialty Apertures<br>
Technical Staff Composites Engineering<br>
Raytheon</font>