Service difficulty report · Gimbal Ring · Snias AS350B2

Difficulty date
May 17, 2002
Submitted
August 13, 2002
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N5204X
Make and model
Snias AS350B2
Aircraft serial
3099
Aircraft time
986 hours
Part
Gimbal Ring
Part number
350A35110500
Condition
Loose
Location
Mgb Coupling
Part time
986 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

SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT CAME IN FOR IT'S 500 HOUR INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ENGINE TO MAIN GEAR BOX GIMBAL JOINT , WHICH HOUSES THE DRIVE SHAFT, HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. UPON INSPECTION AT THE 500 HOUR, THE GIMBAL RING AND HOUSING WERE MEASURED AND FOUND TO BE OUT OF LIMITS AT THE GIMBAL PINS. THE PINS THEMSELVES NORMALLY GET SOME WEAR BUT THIS WEAR WAS IN THE BUSHINGS IN THE GIMBAL AND RING. A TECH REP WAS CONTACTED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THESE PARTS WERE FOUND OUT TO BE NON-REPAIRABLE. HE SUGGESTED THAT WE LOOK AT THE LEFT FOWARD MAIN GEAR BOX CROSSBEAM SUPPORT SHOCK MOUNT FOR THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. HE WAS CORRECT. THE LAMINATED MOUNT WAS DETERIORATED. WHEN THE CROSSBEAM WAS REMOVED IT WAS FOUN