Service difficulty report · Shaft · Snias AS350B3

Difficulty date
October 11, 2011
Submitted
October 28, 2011
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N3972A
Make and model
Snias AS350B3
Aircraft serial
7082
Engine
Tmeca ARRIEL2B1
Part
Shaft
Part number
350A34015004
Condition
Mismanufactured
Location
Tail Rotor
Part time
187 hours
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

AFTER INSTALLATION OF REPAIRED TAIL ROTOR ASSY, A VIBRATION CHECK AND BALANCE CHECK OF THE "SHORT SHAFT" IS REQUIRED. THE BALANCE WAS OUT BY A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT AND AS THESE PART WERE NEVER REMOVED OR ALTERED DURING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TAIL ROTOR ASSY, IT CAN ONLY BE ASSUMED THAT THE SHORT SHAFT WAS NOT PROPERLY BALANCED WHEN LEAVING THE FACTORY. RECOMMEND STRICTER QC ON THE BALANCING OF ROTORS BEFORE LEAVING THE MFG.