Caravan Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Workload; Physiological - Other; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
Training flights transitioning pilots to recent TKS conversion. TKS fluid has contaminated the cockpit vent system. Appears high outside air temperature may make TKS fluid (hazmat) contamination effect pilots very quick. Daily in training; I have watched multiple high time pilots; with lots of C208 experience announce they smell subtle TKS odor when they open the cockpit door in high temps; then have immediate effects from TKS fluid; headaches; coughing; throat irritation; bad taste in mouth; eye irritation. The scariest is I have watched two high time pilots complain of effects; then later are very confused and are unable to locate switches in aircraft; they don't even know where to start looking; and they have become confused as to what to do on a missed approach. Appears to be the symptoms of intoxication as the MSDS mentions when exposed to TKS. Aircraft is coated in a sticky film inside and out; so are pilots. Very dangerous effects on crew.
A C208 instructor reported that following TKS fluid exposure on a training flight; his very experienced student apparently became disoriented; unable to locate cockpit switches and confused about missed approach procedures.