Caravan Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 8000; Flight Crew Type 3000
Physiological - Other; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
Outside air temperature 90 [degrees] F+. While on a training flight in TKS fluid equipped Caravan. TKS anti-ice system was turned on for 3-5 minutes for a demo. As soon as TKS turned on both pilots noted a chemical odor in cockpit; and pilot flying immediately began coughing (severe) uncontrollably and complained of difficulty breathing. Non pilot flying had immediate reaction to TKS also; difficulty breathing; throat irritation; nausea; and eventually vomited after flight. Both pilots were 'sticky' after flight. Every pilot has noticed TKS fluid dripping into the cabin vent intake at the top of the strut; immediately below the TKS panel; and TKS fluid (HAZMAT) is contaminating the cockpit and crew. Extreme heat appears to make vaporization worse. When you open parked aircraft door; you are overwhelmed with chemical odor from TKS fluid (a hazmat). TKS fluid MSDS warns about exposure to fluid and vapor. One of the warnings of breathing TKS fluid vapor is a narcotic effect. Crews are noticing health effects from the TKS that are not dissipating after repeated exposure. This is a very dangerous system and crews are being exposed to hazmat contamination; health; and safety issues every time this aircraft is flown.
A C208B instructor reported the TKS fluid vaporization increases in high OAT conditions and the effects are not dissipating after repeated exposure. The reporter became nauseous and vomited after flight.