Service difficulty report · Access Panel · Bell 214ST

Difficulty date
October 26, 2014
Submitted
October 30, 2014
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N214EB
Make and model
Bell 214ST
Aircraft serial
28130
Aircraft time
8,744 hours, 34,912 cycles
Part
Access Panel
Condition
Missing
Location
Engine Cover
Part time
8,744 hours, 34,912 cycles
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 A ROUTINE MISSION AN ACCESS PANEL LOCATED ON THE AFT PYLON FAIRING ON THE RT SIDE, WAS FOUND NOT INSTALLED ON THE ACFT. THE PANEL IS SECURED AT THE TOP BY A HINGE TO THE AFT PYLON FAIRING. THE HINGE CONSISTS OF 8 SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE FAIRING AND HAS A WIRE THROUGH EACH SECTION AS WELL AS THE SECTIONS OF THE PANEL. THE FIRST 5 SECTIONS FROM L/E OF THE DOOR FAILED. THE LAST 3 SECTIONS APPEAR TO BE INTACT. THE WIRE HINGE IS NOT INSTALLED DURING POST FLIGHT. ADDITIONAL DAMAGE WAS NOTED AT THE AFT END OF THE AFT PYLON FAIRING WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE CENTER BEAM CENTER PANEL. THE METAL AROUND THE ATTACHING BOLTS FAILED. IT IS UNDETERMINED IF THIS FAILURE IS A RESULT OF THE AIR STREAM ENTERING THROUGH THE ACCESS NORMALLY COVERED BY THE ACCESS PANEL. THERE IS NO APPARENT STRUCTURAL DAMAGE, DENTS OR PAINT SCRATCH TO THE PYLON OR TAIL ROTOR ASSY.

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