N563AM
Operators of this aircraft
Who operated this tail, and how firmly we know it.
| Operator | Role | Period | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR METHODS LLC (QMLA) | Certificate holder | — | Matched by certificate designator |
Accident & incident history
No NTSB accidents or incidents on file for this aircraft.
Maintenance disclosures
WE WERE RETURNING TO BASE AFTER COMPLETING AN INTERFACILITY TRANSFER. WE WERE FLYING ALONG, MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS WHEN THE MGB CHIP LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE TO CONDUCT A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. FOUND AN OPEN LIT AREA AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. MECHANIC CAME OUT AND PULLED THE CHIP PLUG AND FOUND A MEDIUM SIZED PIECE PF METAL FUZZ. HE DETERMINED THAT IT MET THE CRITERIA TO CONTINUE OUR FLIGHT BACK TO BASE.
ON RUN-UP ONCE I GOT UP TO THE FLY POSITION AND WAS STARTING TO PULL PITCH THE MEDIC ASKED ME WHAT ALL THE SMOKE WAS. I LOOKED TOWARD THE REAR LEFT AND WE WERE ENGULFED IN SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. I APPLIED THE ROTOR BRAKE AND ONCE THE ROTORS STOPPED, WE EXITED THE AIRCRAFT. I MADE SURE I COULD NOT SEE ANY FIRE AND THE SMOKE STARTED TO SUBSIDED. I OPENED THE ENGINE COWLING TO INSPECT THE AREA. FOUND OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE DECK AND COWLING. NOTIFIED AIR COM, AM AND MECHANIC. A REAR BEARING CLEANING WAS RECOMMENDED SO WE WILL ACTUALLY BE CHANGING THE MO3 FOR OUR COMPLIANCE. COKING WAS FOUND AT THE REAR BEARING OIL STRUT.
ENROUTE TO DROP OFF PATIENT, PILOT REPORTED TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX CHIP WARNING LIGHT IN FLIGHT; FIRST IT FLASHED, THEN REMAINED STEADY. PILOT COMPLETED UNSCHEDULED LANDING AT NEARBY AIRPORT. WHEN MECHANIC INSPECTED T/R GB CHIP DETECTOR; MULTIPLE METAL FLAKES/SPLINTERS WERE FOUND. COULD NOT DETERMINE IF PARTICLES WERE FLAKES OR SPLINTERS, FAULT ISOLATION MANUAL STATES "LEAD TO SERIOUS DAMAGE. 1 AT 3 MM, 1 AT 2 MM, 4 AT .5MM IN SIZE. ALSO FOUND APPROX 12-15 SMALL BUT VISIBLE METALLIC PARTICLES. GEARBOX REPLACEMENT NEEDED. AFTER GEARBOX WAS REPLACED WITH SERVICEABLE UNIT IAW MM, GOUND CHECKS COMPLETED AND CK FLIGHT COMPLETED. ACFT RETURNED TO SERVICE 8/18/10.
THIRD OCCURANCE OF SILVER PLATING FLAKES FOUND DURING SPECIAL 5 HOUR INSP. AFTER CONSULTATION WITH MFG, CORRECTIVE MX ACTION WAS REQUIRED.
ALLS HANDLE CRACKED; SECOND OCCURANCE. FOUND DURING OPERATION OF SYS. PROBABLE CAUSE FOR CRACK IS STRESS FATIGUE; CORRECTIVE ACTION - REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH SERVICEABLE UNIT.
INCONSISTENT DISPLAY DEGRADATION. OFF COLORS AND INTERMITTENT FLASHING SCREEN. APPEARED ONLY IN HIGH OAT SITUATIONS DURING DAYTIME. COULD NOT PRODUCE A CONSISTENT FAIL OTHER THAN STATED. PROBABLE CAUSE FOR DISPLAY DEGRADATION IS HEAT; REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH SERVICEABLE UNIT.