# Kawasaki BK117A-4 - Type: Aircraft model (FAA registry) - Registry code: 4820104 - Manufacturer (registry): KAWASAKI - Model: BK117A-4 - Aircraft type: Rotorcraft - Category: Rotorcraft - Engines: 1 ยท Reciprocating - Seats: 2 - Weight class: Up to 12,499 lb - Certification: Not type certificated - Registered aircraft: 0 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/model/kawasaki-bk117a-4 Model codes come from the FAA registry's reference file. ADs are matched to them by model name and maker. ## ADs that may apply (OpenAirDocs) Matched to this model by model name and maker. Each AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. None matched. ## Registered aircraft None registered with this model now. ## NTSB investigations None matched to aircraft with this model. ## FAA accident and incident reports None matched to aircraft with this model. ## Service difficulty reports (496, newest 50) As reported by operators and repair stations, by the model named in the report. - [SDR QMLA2018112518125](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2018112518125), Nov 25, 2018: RIVET. LOOSE. PILOT CONTACTED ME AFTER PERFORMING HIS DAILY PREFLIGHT AIRWORTHINESS CHECK. HE STATED THE TAIL ROTOR WAS MAKING A POPPING SOUND WHEN ROTATING IT BY HAND. I PRO - [SDR QMLA2018050118052](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2018050118052), May 1, 2018: MOUNT. CORRODED. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MAIN TRANSMISSION DRIP PAN WAS REMOVED FOR OIL CHANGE WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LOAD SIDE MOUNT WAS BROKEN IN HALF. AFTER - [SDR QMLA2017050517047](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2017050517047), May 5, 2017: LANDING LIGHT. ODOR. ON APPROACH, THE FLIGHT CREW SMELLED A LIGHT ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC. ONCE ON THE GROUND, THE MECHANIC FOUND THE RETRACTABLE LANDING LIGHT TO BE THE SOURCE. THE - [SDR HEER20170105759](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/HEER20170105759), Jan 5, 2017: GOVERNOR. MALFUNCTIONED. DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, SUDDEN LOSS OF RIGHT ENGINE POWER ACCOMPANIED WITH HELICOPTER YAW MOVEMENT AND NR 2 ENGINE LOW LIGHT. SIGNIFICANT SPLIT IN TORQUE, N2 AND - [SDR QMLA2016110116120](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2016110116120), Nov 1, 2016: ELEC CONNECTOR. CONTAMINATED. CREW MEMBER REPORTED FUEL ODOR DURING GROUND OPERATIONS. THE PILOT SHUTDOWN THE ENGINES AND CALLED THE MECHANIC OUT TO INSPECT THE AIRCRAFT. REMOVED THE CENTER - [SDR QMLA2016103016119](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2016103016119), Oct 30, 2016: B-NUT. LEAKING. THE PILOT AND MEDICAL CREW SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE CABIN OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE MECHANIC WAS CALLED OUT TO INSPECT THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND A FUEL LIN - [SDR QMLA2016061716066](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2016061716066), Jun 17, 2016: STRINGER. CRACKED. DISCOVERED CRACK IN STR DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE EVENT. - [SDR QMLA2016061616066](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2016061616066), Jun 16, 2016: SKIN. CORRODED. CORROSION ON SKIN OF ACFT, CORROSION ON THE RT SIDE PENETRATED IN TO THE OUTER FRAME OF THE RT ENGINE DECK ASSY. DISCOVERED DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE EVENT. - [SDR QMLA2016061616064](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2016061616064), Jun 16, 2016: STRINGER. CRACKED. DISCOVERED CRACK IN STR DURING A SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE EVENT. - [SDR QMLA2016052016052](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2016052016052), May 20, 2016: CHIP DETECTOR. CONTAMINATED. NUMBER 2 ENG CHIP LIGHT IN CRUISE, WOULD NOT EXTINGUISH WITH 3 ZAPS. SHUTDOWN NR 2 ENG IAW ACFT EMER PROCEDURE CHECKLIST. UPON ARRIVAL, INSPECTED THE CHIP DETEC - [SDR QMLA2015071715059](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2015071715059), Jul 17, 2015: FIRE WARNING. FALSE ACTIVATION. THE NR 2 FIRE WARNING LIGHT WAS GLOWING VERY DIMLY. DID NOT NOTICE THE FIRE LIGHT WAS ON UNTIL THE OTHER COCKPIT LIGHTS WERE DIMMED FOR SHUTDOWN. THERE WAS NO E - [SDR QMLA2015062615053](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2015062615053), Jun 26, 2015: MOUNT FITTING. WORN. NUMBER 2 INBD FWD ENG MOUNT FITTING BUSHING WORN & ELONGATED, REQUIRING REPAIR SCHEME. REPAIR COMPLETED WITH FORM 337 DATED 07 07 2015. - [SDR QMLA2015031915019](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2015031915019), Mar 19, 2015: FIRE WARNING. FALSE ACTIVATION. NUMBER 2 ENG FIRE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN FLIGHT WITH NO FIRE. ACFT LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. NR 2 ENG FIRE DETECTOR SYS INSPECTED & TESTED, NO FAULTS FOUND, COULD - [SDR QMLA2014120314136](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2014120314136), Dec 3, 2014: STRUCTURE. CRACKED. DURING REPLACEMENT OF MAIN TRANSMISSION STAY ASSEMBLY PN 117-11182-03 FOUND 5 CRACKS EMANATING FROM RIVETS NEAR THE AREA OF THE STAY ASSEMBLY. - [SDR M7FA2014F00099](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/M7FA2014F00099), May 4, 2014: DOOR. DETACHED. DOOR OPENED IN FLIGHT, AS IT WAS OPENING, THE DOOR SEPARATED FROM THE DOOR TRACK AND PIVOTED UP, CONTACTING THE ROTOR BLADES BEFORE LEAVING THE ACFT. - [SDR QMLA2014042514043](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2014042514043), Apr 25, 2014: CONNECTOR. DIRTY. ACFT HAD UNCOMMANDED YAW, CONTINUED AFTER PRESSING STABILIZATION CUT OFF PUSH BUTTON. LANDED AT NEARBY AIRPORT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. INSPECTED ALL T/R LINKA - [SDR QMLA2014030514023](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2014030514023), Mar 5, 2014: FLOOR PANEL. FAILED. UPON INSPECTION DISCOVERED PILOT'S THRUST REVERSER PEDAL BELL CRANK ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE FLOOR PANEL IN THE AREA OF THE FWD ATTACH BOLTS DUE TO FATIGUE O - [SDR QMLA2013080113110](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2013080113110), Aug 1, 2013: SWITCH. WORN. DURING LANDING , NOTICED NR 1 ENGINE FIRE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER LANDING AND SHUTDOWN NOTICED THE TEST SWITCH WAS NOT IN THE SPRING LOADED NEUTRAL POSITION. D - [SDR QMLA2013070513091](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2013070513091), Jul 5, 2013: BLADE. DENTED. DURING DAILY AIRWORTHINESS CHECK, NOTICED A DENT TO THE L/E ERROSION STRIP ON TAIL ROTOR BLADE. ACFT TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE. DETERMINED TAIL ROTOR BLADE TO BE UNS - [SDR QMLA2013033113046](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2013033113046), Mar 31, 2013: LINE. LEAKING. NURSE IDENTIFIED SMALL QUANTITY OF FUEL LEAKING FROM MEDICAL CABIN CEILING AT AFT RT SIDE STATION THROUGH LIGHT FIXTURE AFTER LANDING AT HOSPITAL. FUEL WAS FOUN - [SDR QMLA2012071212115](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2012071212115), Jul 12, 2012: CYCLIC CONTROL. BINDING. DURING MX TEST FLIGHT, AFTER COMPLETION OF 3600 HR INSPECTION, COMPLETED GROUND RUN AND HOVER CHECKS. PROCEEDED TO TAKEOFF, AT APPROX 100 FT AGL SLOWLY ACCELERA - [SDR QMLA2012052712088](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2012052712088), May 27, 2012: ENGINE. MAKING METAL. DURING LANDING, THE NR 1 ENGINE CHIP LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE COLLECTIVE WAS PLACED FULL DOWN AFTER LANDING. EXCESS CHIPS WERE FOUND ON CHIP DETECTOR AND MX DET - [SDR CA120712002](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/CA120712002), May 18, 2012: BLADE. DAMAGED. (CAN) CYCLIC STICK PUSHED EXCESSIVELY FORWARD AND MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE UPPER WIRE STRIKE WHILE ON THE GROUND AT IDLE WITH NO CHANGE IN RPM. MAIN ROTOR BLADE - [SDR QMLA2012042112062](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2012042112062), Apr 21, 2012: ENGINE. POWER LOSS. ON APPROACH, MASTER CAUTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A NR 1 ENGINE LOW LIGHT FOLLOWED BY A LARGE TORQUE SPLIT ( NR 1 LOW AT 20 PERCENT AND NR 2 HIGH AT 80 PERCENT - [SDR QMLA2012011912008](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2012011912008), Jan 19, 2012: BOLT. BROKEN. WHILE PERFORMING A ZONE 4 INSPECTION IAW AMC AAIP, WHICH REQUIRES AN INSPECTION OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX FOR PROPER TORQUE OF ATTACHING HARDWARE. DURING THIS I - [SDR CA111103006](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/CA111103006), Nov 1, 2011: SPLINE. BROKEN. (CAN) THE GOVERNOR WAS REMOVED FOR SPOOL BEARING CHANGE IAW SB LTS101-73-20-0262 & THE REPAIR SHOP DISCOVERED THE BROKEN DRIVE SPLINE. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN - [SDR QMLD201110052601](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLD201110052601), Oct 5, 2011: RIB. CRACKED. THE TOP RIB OF THE VERTICAL FIN WHERE THE ANTI COLLOSION LIGHT BASE IS MOUNTED, EXIBITS A CRACK RADIATING FROM THE NUTPLATE THAT IS MOUNTED UNDERNEATH. - [SDR QMLA2011093011097](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2011093011097), Sep 30, 2011: ENGINE. POWER LOSS. THE PILOT REPORTED, AFTER PREFLIGHT AND CONFIRMATION CHECKS WERE CONDUCTED, LIFTED TO HOVER. USED THE ENGINE BEEP SWITCH TO SLIGHTLY INCREASE THE NR/N2 RPM TO 1 - [SDR QMLA2011060211061](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2011060211061), Jun 2, 2011: DOOR. SEPARATED. WHILE THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT CONDUCTING AN ORIENTATION FLIGHT WITH ONLY A PASSENGER IN THE COPILOT SEAT, THE LT CABIN DOOR SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT AT AP - [SDR UNFR2011052500003](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/UNFR2011052500003), May 23, 2011: SKIN. MISREPAIRED. PERFORMING INSP ON TAILBOOM AND DISCOVERED RIVETS IN TAILBOOM THAT WERE NOT CORRECTLY INSTALLED AT PREVIOUS REPAIR ON TOP SKIN BECAUSE OF DIMPLES IN SKIN DID NO - [SDR QMLA2011012411012](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2011012411012), Jan 24, 2011: ACCESS DOOR. CHAFED. THE LT TRANSMISSION ACCESS COWLING CHAFED INTO THE MAIN TRANSMISSION DECK STRUCTURE AT AF STA 4239, WL 2753 AND BL 452.00L BEYOND MFG ACCEPTABLE LIMITS. THE APP - [SDR QMLA2011011111007](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2011011111007), Jan 11, 2011: UNKNOWN. ODOR. FUELED TO MAX, ON LEVEL OFF HAD FUEL ODOR IN AFT CABIN, DIVERTED TO NEARBY AIRPORT. MECHANIC WAS CALLED AND INSPECTED FUEL LINES ON BOTH ENGINES, REMOVED INTERI - [SDR QMLDMG1475](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLDMG1475), Dec 7, 2010: STRUCTURE. CORRODED. DURING INSP FOUND CORROSION ON THE LT INBD, RT INBD AND RT AFT ENGINE DECK. - [SDR QMLDMG1474](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLDMG1474), Dec 7, 2010: FRAME. CRACKED. DURING INSP FOUND THE TAIL CONE "A" FRAME CRACKED AT THE ECS BLEED LINE ATTACHMENT. AWAITING A REPAIR SCHEME FROM MFG. - [SDR QMLDMG1473](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLDMG1473), Nov 24, 2010: SKIN. DENTED. (QMLD) VARIOUS DENTS, PUNCTURES, AND GOUGES TO THE OUTER SKIN OF THE LOWER FUSELAGE BELLY AREA. THE INTERNAL FRAME IS DEFORMED IN ONE LOCATION ALSO. SUBMITTED D - [SDR QMLA2010102510072](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2010102510072), Oct 25, 2010: FUEL SYS. CONTAMINATED. ACFT HAD UNDERGONE FUEL QTY INDICATOR CALIBRATION 2 DAYS PREVIOUSLY. PILOT ATTEMPTED TO START ENGINES, NEITHER ENGINE WOULD START. MX DETERMINED FUEL SYS HAD NO - [SDR QMLDMG1472](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLDMG1472), Oct 7, 2010: DOUBLER. CRACKED. DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE TAIL CONE AREA FOUND THE AFT DOUBLER FRAME AT STA 6135 CRACKED. CONSULTED MFG AND ARE AWAITING A REPAIR SCHEME. - [SDR QMLDMG1471](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLDMG1471), Oct 7, 2010: STRUCTURE. CHAFED. DURING INSPECTION OF THE AIRFRAME, FOUND CHAFING FROM THE TRANSMISSION COWLINGS ON THE LT AND RT SIDES INTO THE LT AND RT SIDES OF THE TRANSMISSION DECK. CONSUL - [SDR QMLA2010090110055](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2010090110055), Sep 1, 2010: FUEL CAP. MISSING. THE PILOT AND MEDICAL CREW SMELLED FUEL SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THEY IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO BASE AND FOUND THE FUEL CAP MISSING FROM THE ACFT. THE FUEL CAP WAS - [SDR RMXA072820107103](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/RMXA072820107103), Jul 28, 2010: SKIN. CRACKED. DURING MX A 1" LONG CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE TAILBOOM VERTICAL FIN OUTER SKIN STARTING FROM AN ACCESS OPENING AT THE UPPER END OF THE VERTICAL FIN. REPAIR SC - [SDR QMLA2010071910039](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2010071910039), Jul 19, 2010: FIREWALL. CRACKED. CRACK IN FIREWALL AFT MOUNTING HOLE. - [SDR RMXA0305107013](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/RMXA0305107013), Mar 5, 2010: COMPENSATOR. UNSERVICEABLE. ENGINE WAS RETURNED TO IDLE POSITION & NOT SHUTDOWN IN FLIGHT. ON RETURN LEG OF FLIGHT, PILOT NOTICED TORQUE SPLITS BETWEEN ENGINES. ADJUSTED & NOTICED TORQUE S - [SDR HEEA127331](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/HEEA127331), Feb 8, 2010: GOVERNOR. SPLIT. IN CRUISE FLIGHT, NR 2 ENG LOW MASTER CAUTION ILLUMINATED. VERFIED ENG LOW BY WIDE TORQUE SPLIT. LOWERED POWER AND COMPLIED WITH ENG LOW CHECKLIST. PERFORMED OE - [SDR RMXA020420107013](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/RMXA020420107013), Feb 4, 2010: RIB. CRACKED. DURING A DAILY INSP, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED ON THE UPPER TAILBOOM VERTICAL FIN NOSE RIB PN 105-30402.18. THE CRACK WAS APPROX. 1.5 -2" IN LENGTH. THE NOSE RIB W - [SDR QMLA2000911140904](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2000911140904), Nov 14, 2009: COMPUTER. ODOR. PITCH AND ROLL CSAS WENT OFF LINE AND CAME BACK ON LINE. THEN SMELLED BURNING ODOR AND CSAS WENT OFF LINE AND DID NOT COME BACK ON LINE. - [SDR QMLA2009102909038](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2009102909038), Oct 29, 2009: SEAL. MISSING. FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, DURING CLIMB-OUT, AFTER PIC TURNED ON ECU, CABIN CREW REPORTED DETECTED FUEL FUMES. PIC TURNED OFF ECU, FUMES DID NOT CEASE. COCKPIT CREW NOT - [SDR RMXA2009071401085](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/RMXA2009071401085), Jul 14, 2009: ICS BOX. DEFECTIVE. AT 3000FT AND CRUISE, PILOT AND CTR CONSOLE LIGHTS WENT OUT. WEATHER WAS CAVU WITH A HALF MOON. USED MAP LIGHT FOR ILLUMINATION AND RETURNED TO HOME BASE. ON SH - [SDR RMXA0606097061](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/RMXA0606097061), Jun 6, 2009: FIRE DETECTOR. SHORTED. THE NR 2 ENGINE FIRE DETECTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED DURING FINAL APPROACH TO THE HOME HELIPAD. THE LANDING WAS COMPLETED WITHOUT EVENT AND THE ENGINES WERE - [SDR RMXA051220097098](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/RMXA051220097098), May 12, 2009: FRAME. CRACKED. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, A 1 INCH LONG CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE FUSELAGE TAILCONE LT A FRAME PT NR 117-22106-01. - [SDR RMXA051120097138](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/RMXA051120097138), May 11, 2009: SPAR. CRACKED. VISUAL INSPECTION POSTFLIGHT REVEALED A LARGE CRACK ON THE TAILBOOM VERTICAL FIN SPAR. All 496: https://openairdocs.org/model/kawasaki-bk117a-4/reports.md ## The same model under other registry codes Amateur-built copies and renamed makers get their own codes. - [Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 A-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-bolkow-blohm-bk-117-a-4): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 5626017 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.