Service difficulty report · Blower Assembly · Bell 206B

Difficulty date
May 21, 1996
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
Air carrier
Make and model
Bell 206B
Engine
Allsn 250C20
Part
Blower Assembly
Part number
CM3505C
Condition
Shorting
Location
Lock Screws
Stage of operation
IN
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) BLOWER ASSEMBLY WAS REMOVED FOR ROUTINE 600 HOUR BENCH CHECK. BEFORE DISASSEMBLY IT WAS NOTED THAT THE LOCKWIRE SECURING THE ASSEMBLY BOLTS WERE HEAT DISCOLOURED. THE BLOWER ONLY USES 28 VDC, IT WAS THOUGHT THAT THE GROUND CONNECTION VIA AIRCRAFT WIRING MIGHT BE OPEN AND THE UNIT WAS GROUNDING THROUGH ITS CHASSIS. AS POWER WAS APPLIED TO PIN A AND GROUND TO CHASSIS THE LOCKWIRE BEGAN TO GLOW. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT SOME OF THE BOLTS HAD A BUILT UP RESISTANCE AND AT LEAST ONE OF THE THREE BOLT CLUSTERS HAD LOW RESISTANCE WHICH SET UP A CURRENT PATH DUE TO BAD GROUNDING AT PIN B. THE LOCKWIRE UNDER THIS CIRCUMSTANCE ACTED LIKE A FUSE WITH A VIRTUAL STRAIGHT ELECTRICAL SHORT.

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