airspeed indicator failure

[datsclark]

Just a quick question: Why would the Airspeed Indicator fail during a flight, if no failures are set. This has happened to me more than once, most recently in the Baron 58. Cruising at 12,5 and the speed just drops to 0 for no apparent reason.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[drobson]

This is an easy one! ;-) Your pitot heat is turned off. Turn it on, and it'll work just fine.

And, Welcome to the forums.

Darrell

[datsclark]

Well, hey, look at that. Its working again. Thanks!

Now i'll have to go read about this and see why that happens.

[apollosmith]

It's caused when you fly in freezing temperatures and ice forms in and around the pitot tube which is used to determine your airspeed. If it get's full of ice, then the airspeed indicates 0. The heater keeps ice from forming. You'll want to turn it on any time you're in cold, wet conditions.

Jared

[bostona1]

I had a blade of grass get lodged in the pitot tube in a real C-152 back in the 80's I used to fly. It cut the readings in about half.

Paul