ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 360355
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| Date: | Sunday 5 June 1994 |
| Time: | 12:20 LT |
| Type: |  Aerospatiale SA 318C Alouette II |
| Owner/operator: | Ted Ohlmer |
| Registration: | N4682 |
| MSN: | |
| Engine model: | TURBOMECA ASTAZOU IIA |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Rassellas, PA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
During an aerial application flight over wooded terrain, the engine lost total power. The pilot did an autorotation landing into underlying trees. The helicopter descended through the trees and impacted the ground. Post accident examination of the heliopter revealed fuel system was empty. No fuel leaks were found. The examination did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction. According to the pilot, the fuel gauge was inoperative and he had been using a calibrated 'dip-stick' to measure the fuel tank's fuel quantity. The pilot reported there was 75 gallons of fuel aboard since the helicopter was last refueled. He stated that he then flew twice for a total of 65 minutes. The power loss occurred on the second flight; the pilot did not report checking the fuel before the flight. According to the manufacturer fuel consumption data, the engine can consume up to 36 gallons of fuel per hour.
Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the lost of engine power. Factors in the accident were the pilot operating the helicopter with known deficiencies in equipment and no suitable terrain available for landing.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB BFO94LA090
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 15-Mar-2024 20:52 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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