Service difficulty report · Skin · Bell 407

Difficulty date
June 8, 2009
Submitted
June 15, 2009
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N247SM
Make and model
Bell 407
Aircraft serial
53176
Aircraft time
5,572 hours, 476 cycles
Part
Skin
Condition
Cracked
Location
Fuselage
Part time
5,573 hours, 476 cycles
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

WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE COWLS OVER THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT AND OIL COOLER, HE DISCOVERED A CRACK, ABOUT 5 INCHES LONG, ON THE FUSELAGE DECK BELOW THE OIL COOLER BLOWER MOUNT. THE ACFT WAS GROUNDED AND IS AWAITING A TRAILER TO TAKE IT FOR REPAIRS. AFTER REMOVING OIL COOLER COWLING FOR MX, A CRACK ABOUT 5 INCHES LONG,ON THE LT SIDE OF THE DECK SKIN AT THE AFT OIL TANK MOUNT WAS NOTICED. ACFT WAS GROUNDED AT THAT TIME. STAGE OF OPERATION CRACK DISCOVERED- ACFT ON GROUND FOR MX.

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