Caravan 208B
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 1790; Flight Crew Type 85
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
On initial takeoff and climb; ASI was stuck on a low airspeed and not increasing. Being VMC I was easily able to determine airspeed from nose attitude and also by glancing at the ASI on the co-pilots side. Climbing through around 400 FT AGL I informed ATC that I needed to return for landing due an instrument malfunction. ATC responded and asked did I need emergency assistance; I replied negative; and asked to circle back to land. I determined that the safety of the flight was not compromised being in VMC and having the co-pilots ASI; and using nose attitude against horizon. I believed I did not need to declare an emergency in this case. I was able to make an easy; successful and uneventful landing.Upon pitot/static system exterior check there was some debris in the pilot's side pitot tube [was] seen by using a ladder to get a close look (not something that could be seen during normal preflight). Engineer cleared the system and after high speed taxi check; aircraft was released to service.
C208 pilot departing in VMC notes Airspeed Indicator stuck at a low speed and continues the takeoff. Using the copilot ASI and pitch attitude the aircraft is brought around for landing. Maintenance finds debris in the left side pitot tube.