Service difficulty report · Compass · Snias SA330J

Difficulty date
November 20, 2018
Submitted
November 20, 2018
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N902R
Make and model
Snias SA330J
Aircraft serial
1637
Aircraft time
8,777 hours, 15,348 cycles
Part
Compass
Part number
5805712
Part serial
570
Condition
Failed
Location
Zone 100
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
B, S
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

AIRCRAFT N902R AND CREW WERE FLYING A ROUTINE VERTICAL REPLENISHMENT MISSION IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN. WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND 28 DEGREES CELSIUS. A LITTLE OVER ONE HOUR INTO THE FLIGHT THE FLIGHT CREW DECLARED TO THE SHIP THAT THEY COULD SMELL SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. CREW WAS IMMEDIATELY CLEARED TO LAND. PILOT IN COMMAND LAND THE HELICOPTER ON DECK SAFELY. AFTER AIRCRAFT SHUT DOWN WE PROCEEDED TO OPEN BOTH CABIN DOORS. THE SMOKE SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM TWO LOCATIONS THE TAIL CONE AND BILLOWING UP FROM THE CARGO HOOK COMPARTMENT. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT WAS SHUT DOWN CO-PILOT SAID THEY HAD LOST THE YAW CHANNEL CONTROL AND PILOT SAID THE CONTROL FELT UNUSUAL DURING HIS FINAL APPROACH. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION WE DISCOVERED THE #1 COMPASS GYRO CIRCUIT BREAKER HAD POPPED. THIS LEAD US TO OPENING THE COMPARTMENT JUST FORWARD OF THE CARGO HOOK AND DISCOVERED THE COMPASS GYRO SMELLED LIKE ELECTRONICS BURNING AND HAD CHARRED GREASE COMING OUT THE SIDE OF IT.

REMOVED DEFECTIVE GYRO AND REPLACED WITH A SERVICEABLE GYRO. PERFORMED BITE CHECK AND GYRO WORKED AS ADVERTISED.