Service difficulty report · Fuel Sys · Snias AS350BA

Difficulty date
October 3, 2011
Submitted
October 7, 2011
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N111LN
Make and model
Snias AS350BA
Aircraft serial
1602
Aircraft time
12,312 hours
Engine
Tmeca ARRIEL1B
Engine time
10,803 hours
Part
Fuel Sys
Condition
Leaking
Stage of operation
CL
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
K, B
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

THE PILOT AND MEDICAL CREW SMELLED FUEL IN THE CABIN SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ODOR APPEARED TO BE MORE SIGNIFICANT IN THE AFT CABIN AREA. THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY DECIDED TO LAND IN A CLEAR LANDING AREA. THE MECHANIC WAS CALLED TO THE LOCATION WHERE HE INSPECTED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND APPROXIMATELY 2-3 OUNCES OF FUEL COLLECTED IN THE AFT BELLY PANEL. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL FILTER SUMP DRAIN CLUSTER WAS NOT FITTED IN THE OVERFLOW SCUPPER WHICH ALLOWED THE FUEL TO DRAIN INTO THE BELLY PANEL. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF FUEL LEAKAGE OBSERVED. THE SUMP DRAIN LINE WAS EXTENDED AND THE ACFT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE.