Service difficulty report · Vent · Bell 407

Difficulty date
May 14, 2025
Submitted
May 19, 2025
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N509AA
Make and model
Bell 407
Aircraft serial
53716
Aircraft time
3,350 hours, 9,310 cycles
Part
Vent
Condition
Blocked
Location
Fuel
Part time
3,350 hours
Stage of operation
NR
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

DURING FLIGHT, A DISTINCT FUEL SMELL COMING FROM AFT RIGHT SEAT AREA. SMELL WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE MEDICAL CREW MEMBER WHO IS SITTING IN THAT SEAT NAUSEOUS. PILOT DID NOT SENSE ANY FUEL FUMES. AMT REMOVED STRUCTURAL ACCESS PANELS FOR FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE R/H COMPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE THE FUEL SMELL. NOTED FUEL SMELL COMING FROM FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE R/H COMPARTMENT. NO ACTIVE LEAK NOTED AT THIS TIME. THE AMT REMOVED DEBRIS OBSTRUCTING VENT PORT OF SHUT OFF VALVE. INSTALLED AND SEALED QUANTITY 2 STRUCTURAL ACCESS PANELS WHICH WERE NOT SEALED PROVIDING MINIMAL FUME PROTECTION. A CHECK FLIGHT WAS PERFORMED WITH NO FUEL FUMES.

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