Service difficulty report · Spray Boom · Bell 206B

Difficulty date
July 21, 2003
Submitted
September 4, 2003
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Bell 206B
Aircraft time
17,268 hours
Engine
Allsn 250C20
Part
Spray Boom
Condition
Failed
Location
Exterior
Stage of operation
DE
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
D
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

(CAN) THE RT SPRAY BOOM FAILED AND FLEW UP INTO THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. THE PILOT KEPT CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND LANDED SAFELY AT THE AIRPORT. UPON INVESTIGATION WE DETERMINED THAT THE TWO MAJOR FACTORS CAUSING THE INCIDENT WERE: THE BOOM HAD A WELDED JOINT HALF WAY OUT ON THE RT SIDE (BROKE AT THE WELD). THE BOOM HAD AN AIRFOIL SHAPE CAUSING IT TO FLY UP INTO MAIN ROTOR BLADES. WE CONFIRMED THAT NONE OF OUR AIRCRAFT HAVE THE AIRFOIL SHAPE BOOMS (THIS AC WAS THE ONLY ONE). WE REPLACED XX'S BOOMS WITH SIMPLEX ROUND SHAPED BOOMS. WE ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OUR AIRCRAFT DO NOT HAVE ANY WELDED JOINTS ON THE BOOMS.

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