Service difficulty report · Cover · Snias AS350B3

Difficulty date
June 15, 2007
Submitted
March 27, 2008
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N4048L
Make and model
Snias AS350B3
Aircraft serial
3020
Aircraft time
2,732 hours
Engine
Tmeca ARRIEL1D1
Engine time
2,732 hours
Part
Cover
Condition
Loose
Location
Collective Stick
Part time
2,732 hours
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

COLLECTIVE MOUNTED HOIST EMERGENCY RELEASE (JETT) SWITCH COVER SECURITY. IF THE BASE OF THE COVER IS LOOSE AND TURNED 180 DEGREES, AS WAS THE CASE HERE, THE COVER OPENS FORWARD AND EXTENDS OFF OF THE END OF THE COLLECTIVE. IN THIS CONDITION WHEN THE COLLECTIVE IS FULLY LOWERED, THE PUSHBUTTON COVER JAMS AGAINST THE GENEVA MODIFIED CENTER CONSOLE UNTIL THE PILOT PUSHES THE COLLECTIVE THROUGH THE BINDING, AND THE HINGED COVER POPS UP AND OUT OF THE WAY. IN THIS CONDITION, WITH THE COLLECTIVE JETT SWITCH OPEN COVER WEDGED AGAINST THE CENTER CONSOLE, A PILOT MAY FEEL THAT THE COLLECTIVE IS FULLY DOWN WHEN IT IS NOT.