Service difficulty report · Skin · Snias AS350B2

Difficulty date
June 27, 2012
Submitted
September 14, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Snias AS350B2
Engine
Lyc LTS101700D2
Part
Skin
Part number
350A2300000206
Condition
Distorted
Location
Tailboom
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
9
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

(CAN) THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING GROUND RUN AFTER A 600 HR T INSPECTION, WHEN AN ENGINEER NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF DISTORTION AT STN 40 ON THE LT SIDE OF THE TAIL BOOM BESIDE THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT COVER AND THE HEAT PROTECTION SHIELD. THE DISTORTION LOOKED LIKE THE BOOM HAD BEEN STRUCK BY LARGE RADIUS OBJECTS, COVERING ABOUT 36 SQ OF AREA. ONCE THE ENGINE HAD BEEN SHUTDOWN THE BOOM COOLED DOWN AND THE EFFECTED AREA FLATTENED OUT TO ALMOST PERFECTLY FLAT AREA. UPON RUN UP AGAIN THE SAME DISTORTED AREA REAPPEARED. AFTER SHUTDOWN THE BOOM RESUMED ITS NORMAL SHAPE. BECAUSE OF THE LARGE DISTORTION THE TAIL BOOM WAS EXCHANGED FOR AN O/H UNIT WITH NO FURTHER DISCREPANCIES ARISING.