Service difficulty report · Fuel Cap · Bell 407

Difficulty date
January 16, 2022
Submitted
January 18, 2022
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N398AM
Make and model
Bell 407
Aircraft serial
54492
Aircraft time
4,581 hours, 6,970 cycles
Part
Fuel Cap
Part number
407362007101
Condition
Bent
Location
Zone 100
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

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM JAX BAPTIST HOSPITAL HELIPAD, CREW NOTIFIED PIC, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF JET FUEL IN THE CABIN. WINDS AT THE HELIPAD WERE 35 KNOTS AND COMING ACROSS MAIN HOSPITAL BUILDING CAUSING VERY STRONG TURBULENCE. I SUSPECTED THE FUEL CAP MAY HAVE BEEN LEFT OPEN AND ELECTED TO CONTINUE TO HURLONG AIRPORT 3 MILE STRAIGHT AHEAD , AT REDUCED POWER. UPON LANDING ON A TAXIWAY ADJACENT TO THE KIDSCARE BASE, A CREW MEMBER IN THE RIGHT REAR SEAT REPORTED THE FUEL CAP WAS ON AND THE LOCKING TAB WAS SLIGHTLY ELEVATED APROX.1/4 FROM IT NORMAL POSITION WITH EVIDENCE OF FUEL AROUND THE FUEL CAP AND SURROUNDING AREA. PIC ASKED HIM TO PUSH THE TAB FULLY CLOSED AND WE WOULD CONTINUE OUR REPOSITION BACK TO OUR BASE. UPON TAKEOFF THE CREW REPORTED THE FUEL SMELL REMAINED. I RETURNED TO THE HURLONG AIRPORT TO HAVE MAINTENANCE CHECK THE CAP. A NEW FUEL CAP WAS ORDERED AND INSTALLED.

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