The fatal crash of a Robinson R44 in the Northern Territory last year has prompted the ATSB to issue a warning about the dangers of refueling from drums.
R44 VH-KJJ was on mustering duties near Timber Creek on 14 June 2015 when the engine failed at low level and the helicopter crashed into the ground during a forced landing attempt. The pilot was pulled from the wreckage alive, but later succumbed to his injuries.
According to the ATSB investigation report released today, the engine failed due to fuel contamination, but investigators were unable to determine why the pilot was unable to carry out a successful autorotation and forced landing.
"The helicopter's fuel system was contaminated with water and particulates during the drum refuelling," the report says, "preventing a combustible fuel supply to the helicopter's engine during flight and causing it to stop shortly after take-off.
"During a low-level autorotation and forced landing, and for reasons that could not be determined, the pilot was unable to satisfactorily reduce the rate of descent before impacting the ground.
"The heavier-than-normal forces experienced during the touchdown influenced the likelihood of survival from the autorotation."
The ATSB attributed the fuel contamination to refuelling from an old, rusty drum without using a filter as is recommended by the petroleum industry.
In addition, the pilot was over-due for a flight review, which the ATSB believes could have affected his ability to carry out a safe autorotation. The investigation did reveal, however, that during the attempt to land, the main rotors lost energy.
The full report is available from the ATSB website.