ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 284595
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2007 |
| Time: | 13:30 LT |
| Type: |  Aerospatiale SA 315B Lama |
| Owner/operator: | Skydance Operations Inc |
| Registration: | N5770F |
| MSN: | 2593 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1980 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 12620 hours |
| Engine model: | Turbomeca Artouste III |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Stuart, Oklahoma -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Stuart, OK |
| Stuart, OK | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The helicopter experienced a loss of engine power while hovering out of ground effect while performing external load operations. While moving a heavy load , the helicopter's fuel light was reported to have flickered. The company's mechanic drained the tank, purged the fuel lines, and replaced the fuel filter. The helicopter was then filled with "clean fuel" and test flown for approximately 30-minutes; with no problems noted. After moving 2 or 3 more loads, and while repositioning the next load, the pilot "felt the engine surge slightly". All engine instruments appeared to be in the normal range and the pilot elected to continue to move the external load. The engine then "cut back to ground idle' and the helicopter descended through the trees. The engine was removed from the airframe, and shipped to an engine overhaul facility for further investigation. An initial examination of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. The engine was placed in a test cell for a full run-up. Two engine starts were attempted; however, the engine failed to start. After the first attempt, the idling device strainer was found clogged and was replaced. The engine was disassembled after the second failed attempt and the examination revealed that the fuel tube was clogged, and fuel was not getting to the fuel injection wheel in the engine. Fuel samples taken at the accident scene and at the engine examination, failed to find containments in the fuel. A lab test of the substance that was found in the fuel tube, failed to identify the foreign substance.
Probable Cause: The loss of engine power due to a clogged fuel tube. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB DFW07LA162
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 30-Sep-2022 19:07 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation