Service difficulty report · Connector · Snias AS350B3

Difficulty date
March 12, 2020
Submitted
March 12, 2020
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N3972A
Make and model
Snias AS350B3
Aircraft serial
7082
Aircraft time
5,987 hours, 5,115 cycles
Engine
Tmeca ARRIEL2B1
Engine time
5,996 hours, 1,370 cycles
Part
Connector
Condition
Loose
Location
Nav Light
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
S
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

DURING 600HR INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL OF HORIZONTAL STABILIZER FOR DETAILED INSPECTION. OBSERVED WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A SPOT OF CORROSION ON LOWER LH STABILIZER SKIN, WHICH UNDER CLOSE INSPECTION WAS DETERMINED TO BE A 4 MM HOLE IN SKIN. LOCATION IS 4 INCHES INBOARD OF OUTER RIB AND 2 INCHES AFT OF SPAR. UPON REMOVAL OF END RIB FOR INSPECTION FOUND HOLE WAS CAUSED BY CHAFING FROM A HARD PLASTIC MOLEX TYPE CONNECTOR FOR THE NAV LIGHT. PERFORMED SHEET METAL REPAIR FROM OEM REPAIR DESIGN APPROVAL SHEET. THE LOOSE CONNECTOR WAS SECURED INTERNALLY TO ALLEVIATE FUTURE CHAFING.