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Pitot tube block with the body of dead bird

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Aircraft Systems, Instrument Rating

Hi there,I am the student from Taiwan,I have a question about the pitot tube, If I doing instrument flying,and I encounter bird strike, unfortunately the bird hit the pitot tube, and it got block with dead body of bird and drain hole remain open, in this situation, I know the indicate airspeed will drop to zero, if using pitot heat can only trouble shooting pitot tube block with ice, so what should pilot do in this situation? Thanks PS:The aircraft has only one pitot tube.(ex.C-172)

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2 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    Kris Kortokrax on Nov 12, 2014

    Taking the hypothetical to the limit.

    If the pitot tube cannot be cleared and you are flying in instrument conditions,

    1. Declare an emergency.
    2. Control the airplane by setting the attitude required for the phase of flight and set the power for the phase of flight.

    Example: For straight and level, place the wings of the attitude indicator on the horizon and set cruise power (2300 RPM or whatever you use).

    For descent, place the wings of the attitude indicator 1 bar below the horizon and set descent power ( 1800 or 1900 RPM) and monitor your descent rate on the VSI and altimeter.

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  2. Sam Dawson on Nov 13, 2014

    Actually not too hypothetical. I know of at least one incident where a pitot tube was not blocked, but was taken out by a bird.

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