# SDR QMLA2015070215052

- Type: Service difficulty report (as reported; unverified)
- Difficulty date: July 2, 2015
- Submitted: July 7, 2015
- Operation: Air carrier
- Aircraft: [N497AE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N497AE), registered now
- Make and model: Snias AS350B3
- Aircraft serial: 3686
- Aircraft time: 4,763 hours, 11,923 cycles
- Engine: Tmeca ARRIEL2B1
- Engine time: 7,425 hours, 16,600 cycles
- System (JASC): [5320 · Fuselage Miscellaneous Structure](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5320)
- Part: Structure
- Condition: Cracked
- Location: Fuselage
- Stage of operation: UK
- How discovered: O
- Nature of condition: O
- Precautionary procedure: K
- FAA source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System (https://sdrs.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QMLA2015070215052

## Discrepancy

ON PREFLIGHT THE PILOT REPORTED A SOFT SPOT ON THE NOSE DIRECTLY UNDER THE AIR VENT & SOME CRACKS IN THE PAINT.  THE ACFT WAS GNDED & THE MECHANIC CALLED.  REMOVED THE PAINT IN THE VISIBLE AREAS WHERE THE PAINT WAS CRACKING & FOUND THE CRACK TO BE THROUGH THE PAINT & INTO THE COMPOSITE.  THE MECHANIC CONTINUED STRIPPING PAINT AROUND ALL NOTICEABLE CRACKS IN THE PAINT & DISCOVERED A TOTAL OF 6 CRACKS IN THE COMPOSITE WITH THE LONGEST CRACK BEING APPROX 2.5 INCHES.  THE CRACKS SEEM TO BE A RESULT OF THE SOFT SPOT AS THEY WERE ALL ON THE EDGES WHERE THE SOFT SPOT ENDS & THE RIGIDNESS BEGINS.

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