Service difficulty report · Compressor · Snias AS350B2

Difficulty date
June 18, 2011
Submitted
July 15, 2011
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N6093K
Make and model
Snias AS350B2
Aircraft serial
2709
Engine
Tmeca ARRIEL1D1
Part
Compressor
Part number
5AS35034
Part serial
2296
Condition
Failed
Location
Air Conditioner
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
B
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS BLOWING HOT AIR INTO THE CABIN WITH A BURNED ODOR COMING FROM VENTS. AFTER PILOT LANDED, NOTICED AIR CONDITIONER BELT FRAYED AND MELTED TO COMPRESSOR. 2 MORE AIR CON COMPRESSORS WITH THE FOLLOWING SN WERE INSTALLED ON THE SAME ACFT AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY WERE SN 2311 WHICH FAILED WITH 20.5 TTSN AND SN 2309 WHICH FAILED WITH 7.1 TTSN. THE PROBABLE CAUSE FOR ALL 3 AIR CON COMPRESSOR PROBLEMS POINTS TO THE AIR CON CLUTCH EITHER STAYING ENGAGED OR SLIPPING. A FRICTION BUILD-UP OCCURS THAT IS CAUSING SO MUCH HEAT THAT THE CLUTCH METAL IS DISCOLORED AND BLUED WHICH IN TURN MUST BE LITERALLY MELTING THE AIR CON BELTS OFF OF THE COMPRESSORS. ALL 3 COMPRESSORS, WHEN REMOVED, WERE NOT LOCKED UP WHN TURNED BY HAND, BUT YOU CAN HEAR THE FRICTION BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE CLUTCH HOUSING WHERE THE 2 ARE CONTACTING. SENDING ALL 3 COMPRESSORS BACK TO MFG FOR INVESTIGATION.