Learjet 35
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120; Flight Crew Total 2890; Flight Crew Type 800
Confusion; Distraction; Troubleshooting; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
On departure [we were] given a right turn to the northwest while told to maintain 8;000 feet MSL. During the turn our yaw damper malfunctioned and the aircraft began to go into a 'Dutch roll'. While bringing the aircraft out of the 'Dutch roll'; we were unable to level off at 8;000 feet MSL and reached an altitude of 8;400 feet MSL. Once we had taken the aircraft out of the 'Dutch roll'; we went back down to 8;000 feet MSL and informed ATC of our situation. We landed without incident and were not asked to contact anyone or given a phone number.
A Learjet Captain reported a failure of the yaw damper system while making a turn during the climb phase of flight. The airplane entered into a Dutch roll which resulted in an overshoot of the assigned altitude. The Dutch roll was successfully arrested and the aircraft was returned to the cleared altitude.