Beechjet 400
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Distraction; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft; Human Factors
Approximately 15 into the flight the First Officer's flight display went black followed shortly by the Captain's PFD and MFD display and ultimately by the FMS displays and annuncuatior panel. The First Officer informed ATC that the flight was in a descending turn and returning to the airport with flight display information inoperative. An Emergency was not declared by the crew. The crew investigated and evaluated the aircraft condition(s) enroute back to the airport and was unable to conclusively identify the anomaly. The crew then directed full attention to completing the flight and landing the aircraft.The aircraft displayed acceptable controllability in roll and yaw; with pronounced down force in pitch. It was determined that acceptable pitch control could be achieved by the crew to control the aircraft. The crew worked through the Check List for the emergency landing gear extension procedure and extended the landing gear. The flight descended to pattern altitude and flew a low approach down the runway in order for the Tower to view the landing gear. The Tower reported that the gear appeared normal. A left hand pattern was flown and a no-flap landing was performed per the Check List to the runway. Hydraulic braking was available and effective. Emergency braking was not used. The aircraft turned off the runway approximately 5;000 FT from touchdown. The First Officer performed a cabin evacuation and the Captain secured the flight deck. Post flight inspection revealed no sign of damage to the aircraft.
[No substantive additional information was included in the secondary narrative.]
A BE-400XP flight crew returned to their departure airport when they experienced multiple nav system and pitch control anomalies.