Service difficulty report · Fuel Cell · Bell 206L4

Difficulty date
June 14, 2016
Submitted
August 8, 2016
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N569T
Make and model
Bell 206L4
Aircraft serial
52290
Engine
Allsn 250C47B
Part
Fuel Cell
Part number
206064633105
Part serial
85633
Condition
Leaking
Location
Fuel System
Part time
3,487 hours
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
K
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

FUEL CELL: PN 206-064-633-101, SN 85633 MANUFACTURED IN 06/20/04 WAS FOUND TO BE IN AN UNAIRWORTHY CONDITION DURING A ROUTINE 24 MONTH INSPECTION. IT IS THE METHOD OF FAILURE AND THE TRENDING OF FAILURES OF CELLS MADE BY THIS COMPANY THAT HAS SPURRED THIS REPORT. THE FUEL CELL WAS FOUND TO BE COMPLETELY SATURATED WITH FUEL AND WEEPING EXTERNALLY FROM EVERY SEAM. THE LEAK WAS OF SUCH QUANTITY THAT EVIDENCE OF THE LEAK WAS DRIPPING ON THE FLOOR AND HAD COMPLETELY PERMEATED THE FUEL CELL TAPE AND SUPPORTS INSIDE THE FUEL CELL. THIS LEAD TO MOLD CONTAMINATION AND REQUIRED SUBSTANTIAL TIME TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE FUEL CELL AREA. IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS WE HAVE WITNESSED 2 OF THESE EXACT FAILURES, BOTH CELLS WERE

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