Narrative:

This report is being written for my performing an airworthiness check in the morning around xa:00 am and the FAA finding the discrepancy after the outside portion of the ramp inspection and walking around and looking through the aircraft; FAA inspector X looked at the pitot tube. Inspector X stated that he thought the leading edge [of the pitot] looked 'disfigured slightly'. The other FAA inspector; inspector Y; said he thought it was just the lighting outside that made it look 'disfigured'. But on closer inspection we all confirmed that the leading edge [of the pitot tube] at roughly the 10 o'clock position; was very slightly flattened. Inspector Y asked pilot X if he was getting any odd readings on the airspeed indicator (ai) and he replied 'no; everything was operating normally'. They [FAA] stated that; they are looking at pitot tubes more closely these days due to the problems that they are seeing in the pitot tubes on the ec-135s [helicopters] in the northwest. Upon completion of inspecting the aircraft we returned to the [maintenance line] shed to continue the logbook and facility inspection. While looking through an older logbook for an airworthiness directive (ad) signoff; pilot X entered the shed and expressed [that] he received a flight request and will need the logbook. Pilot X asked if; 'everything was all good with the aircraft' and we said 'yes'. After pilot X stepped out the door and made his way to the aircraft the FAA inspectors strongly expressed to me that I should really check the tolerances to the pitot tube disfigurement. Inspector Y mentioned that we all know about the disfigurement now and in the event it is out of tolerances we could all be in trouble if you guys take a flight. I asked for some guidance from inspector Y if he knew something that I didn't know and he replied that he can't tell me that the aircraft should not fly; although he emphasized again that I verify the tolerances. After this brief conversation with inspector Y; I expressed to pilot X that I needed to verify the tolerances before the aircraft should be flown. Upon making a logbook entry and researching the pitot damage and determined that there wasn't any limitations listed for damage on the pitot tube; the aircraft was grounded. The maintenance manual states the bell bht-407 MM; chapter 95; paragraph 22; pitot-static system inspection: 1). Examine all of the lines and unions for correct tightness (figure 95-4). 2). Visually examine all of the pitot-static tube assemblies that they are correctly attached and that there is no sign of chaffing; wear; or other damage. 3. Visually examine the pitot tube (1) each and the left and right static ports (2) each. Make sure that there is no obstruction or damage. Then; a pitot tube was immediately ordered and the FAA carried on with the inspection. Upon completion of the pitot tube replacement; inspector X requested to be contacted. [Recommend] replacing all pitot tubes that have any damage.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Line Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) explains why the single pitot tube on a Bell BHT-407 helicopter was replaced after two FAA inspectors raised concerns about a deformation noted at the pitot tube's leading edge inlet opening.

Narrative: This report is being written for my performing an Airworthiness Check in the morning around XA:00 AM and the FAA finding the discrepancy after the outside portion of the Ramp Inspection and walking around and looking through the aircraft; FAA Inspector X looked at the pitot tube. Inspector X stated that he thought the leading edge [of the pitot] looked 'disfigured slightly'. The other FAA Inspector; Inspector Y; said he thought it was just the lighting outside that made it look 'disfigured'. But on closer inspection we all confirmed that the leading edge [of the pitot tube] at roughly the 10 o'clock position; was very slightly flattened. Inspector Y asked Pilot X if he was getting any odd readings on the Airspeed Indicator (AI) and he replied 'No; everything was operating normally'. They [FAA] stated that; they are looking at pitot tubes more closely these days due to the problems that they are seeing in the pitot tubes on the EC-135s [helicopters] in the Northwest. Upon completion of inspecting the aircraft we returned to the [Maintenance Line] shed to continue the logbook and facility inspection. While looking through an older logbook for an Airworthiness Directive (AD) signoff; Pilot X entered the shed and expressed [that] he received a flight request and will need the logbook. Pilot X asked if; 'everything was all good with the aircraft' and we said 'yes'. After Pilot X stepped out the door and made his way to the aircraft the FAA inspectors strongly expressed to me that I should really check the tolerances to the pitot tube disfigurement. Inspector Y mentioned that we all know about the disfigurement now and in the event it is out of tolerances we could all be in trouble if you guys take a flight. I asked for some guidance from Inspector Y if he knew something that I didn't know and he replied that he can't tell me that the aircraft should not fly; although he emphasized again that I verify the tolerances. After this brief conversation with Inspector Y; I expressed to Pilot X that I needed to verify the tolerances before the aircraft should be flown. Upon making a logbook entry and researching the pitot damage and determined that there wasn't any limitations listed for damage on the pitot tube; the aircraft was grounded. The Maintenance Manual states the Bell BHT-407 MM; Chapter 95; Paragraph 22; Pitot-Static System Inspection: 1). Examine all of the lines and unions for correct tightness (Figure 95-4). 2). Visually examine all of the pitot-static tube assemblies that they are correctly attached and that there is no sign of chaffing; wear; or other damage. 3. Visually examine the pitot tube (1) each and the left and right static ports (2) each. Make sure that there is no obstruction or damage. Then; a pitot tube was immediately ordered and the FAA carried on with the inspection. Upon completion of the pitot tube replacement; Inspector X requested to be contacted. [Recommend] replacing all pitot tubes that have ANY damage.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.