ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 360835
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| Date: | Monday 14 February 1994 |
| Time: | 13:35 LT |
| Type: |  Hiller UH-12E |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N4495M |
| MSN: | HA3065 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1977 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1466 hours |
| Engine model: | LYCOMING VO-540-C2A |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Farmville, VA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Survey |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot reported that they landed at the airport to refuel and were going to do a quick turn around. The passenger of the helicopter went into the fueling facility and requested fuel. The type of fuel requested by the passenger was disputed. The pilot stated that he was handed an unmarked nozzle and he proceeded to refuel the helicopter. The pilot stated that he questioned the line service personnel about the different size nozzle and rapid fuel flow rate, and the line service person responded '...that is what is required.' The pilot reported that he did not take any fuel samples after he refueled the helicopter. At the time of the refueling, the fuel tank area at the airport was under construction. The 100 low lead fuel tanks were placarded, but the Jet A fuel tanks were new and the placards were not yet available for display. About four minutes after takeoff, the helicopter's engine lost power. The pilot made an emergency landing in wooded terrain. The pilot and passenger were not injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Fuel samples were taken from the helicopter's fuel tank and tested. The fuel tests revealed that the fuel was Jet A and not the required 100 low lead fuel.
Probable Cause: the pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter with the correct fuel. Factors in the accident were the unclear information given by the passenger and airport line service personnel, the insufficient information regarding the labeling of the airport's fuel tanks, and the lack of suitable terrain to complete a forced landing without damaging the helicopter.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB BFO94LA040
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Mar-2024 11:38 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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