Service difficulty report · Fitting · Bell 430

Difficulty date
October 27, 2012
Submitted
November 9, 2012
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N431HF
Make and model
Bell 430
Aircraft serial
49051
Aircraft time
6,310 hours, 16,664 cycles
Engine
Allsn 250C40B
Engine time
5,696 hours, 6,830 cycles
Part
Fitting
Condition
Loose
Location
Nr 1 Engine
Stage of operation
LD
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
W, K
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

ON OCTOBER 26, 2012 THE NR 1 ENGINE FUEL NOZZLE WAS REMOVED AND RESHIMMED FOR AN INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM. THE MAINTENANCE ACTION WAS COMPLETED AND SIGNED OFF IN THE AIRCRAFT LOGBOOK, HOWEVER NO SUBSEQUENT CHECK RUN WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON THE ENGINE PRIOR TO RETURN TO SERVICE, AS REQUIRED IN THE ROLLS ROYCE M250-C40B OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LAUNCHED ON THE FOLLOWING DAY, OF WHICH THE AIRCRAFT FEW 2.7 FLIGHT HOURS AND 3 ENGINE STARTS (CYCLES). UPON LAST LANDING OF THE DAY, THE FLIGHT CREW NOTICED FUEL DRIPPING FROM THE NR 1 ENGINE DECK DRAIN. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL LINE FITTING LEADING TO THE FUEL NOZZLE WAS NOT TIGHT, DESPITE HAVING BEEN SAFTIED DURING THE PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE ACTION. THE FUEL LINE FITTING WAS TIGHTENED (1/4 TURN), THE ENGINE WAS LEAKED CHECKED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN ALLEVIATED IF THE ESTABLISHED COMPANY PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING THE RED OUT-OF-SERVICE COVER OVER THE CYCLIC CONTROL STICK HAD BEEN FOLLOWED AFTER THE INITIAL FUEL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED.

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