Citation Excel (C560XL)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Fatigue; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Human Factors
After landing the pitot heat switch may have been left in the on position. After deplaning the passengers I put covers on the aircraft while PIC was inside doing the post-flight paperwork. While he was inside I turned on aircraft power and vacuumed the cabin. When the Captain returned he noticed the pitot covers had melted to the pitot tubes. We all need to slow down; adhere to checklist and check to make sure switches are the correct positions. Take extra time if necessary when tired to ensure nothing is overlooked.
[No substantive additional information was provided by the secondary narrative.]
An apparent failure to turn off the pitot heat system on the fractional CE-560XL after ramp arrival resulted in the destruction of the pitot tube covers when the battery was turned on for cabin service thus reheating the tubes and melting the covers.