Service difficulty report · Handle · Bell 407

Difficulty date
July 20, 2017
Submitted
July 20, 2017
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N945R
Make and model
Bell 407
Aircraft serial
54581
Aircraft time
164 hours, 383 cycles
Engine
Allsn 250C47B
Engine time
164 hours, 187 cycles
Part
Handle
Part number
6142301
Condition
Sheared
Location
Mlg Float
Part time
7,272 hours
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
C
Nature of condition
L
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

DURING A 3 YEAR INSPECTION OF THE EMERGENCY FLOAT GEAR SYSTEM THE INFLATION ACTUATION HANDLE BROKE, THE FLOATS DID NOT ACTUATE. TO CONTINUE THE INSPECTION THE ACTUATION CABLE WAS PULLED DIRECTLY, IT REQUIRED A LOT OF PULL TO INITIATE FLOAT INFLATION. ONCE INITIATED FLOATS INFLATED NORMALLY. SUSPECT THAT THE FLOAT RESERVOIR VALVE WHICH WAS DUE FOR OVERHAUL AT THE END OF THE MONTH WAS STUCK AND SURPASSED THE ACTUATION HANDLE'S ABILITY TO MOVE IT CAUSING IT TO SHEAR.

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