Service difficulty report · Fuel Cell · Bell 407

Difficulty date
October 25, 2022
Submitted
October 26, 2022
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N152AM
Make and model
Bell 407
Aircraft serial
54049
Aircraft time
5,555 hours, 8,342 cycles
Engine time
3,848 hours
Part
Fuel Cell
Condition
Overserviced
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
W, 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 CREW ADVISED THE PILOT OF A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE REAR CABIN OF THE AIRCRAFT, NARROWING THE LOCATION DOWN TO THE SMELL COMING FROM THE BLOWER VENTS. THE FUEL ODOR THEN MOVED INTO THE COCKPIT AREA. THE PILOT TURNED OFF THE AIRCRAFT AC/BLOWER SYSTEM, ADVISED CREW TO OPEN ALL WINDOWS AND ADVISED AIRCOM THE AIRCRAFT WOULD BE MAKING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT CASTROVILLE AIRPORT. MAINTENANCE CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER SERVICED DURING FUELING OPERATIONS AND LEAKED DOWN THE AIRCRAFT TO THE BELLY WHERE IT WAS INGESTED INTO THE A/C SYSTEM, OR THE FUEL CAP WASN'T PROPERLY SECURED AND LEAKED OUT DURING OPERATIONS.

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