Glasgow Clutha Helicopter Crash – AAIB Bulletin S2/2014

Black Elk

Briefly .. the report states that the engines flames out whilst there was apparently enough fuel to keep them going. No faults have yet been identified which would explain the circumstances leading to the crash.  76kg of fuel remained in the main tank enough to keep it in the air but below the Final Reserve Fuel recommendation FRF of 90kgs.

The investigation continues.

excerpt

Ongoing investigation

The AAIB investigation continues to examine all the operational aspects of this accident andto conduct a detailed engineering investigation. In particular, the investigation will seek to determine why a situation arose that led to both the helicopter’s engines flaming out when 76 kg of fuel remained in the fuel tank group, why no emergency radio transmission was received from the pilot and why, following the double engine failure, an autorotative descent and flare recovery was not achieved.

The AAIB will report any significant developments as the investigation progresses

and

On 20 December 2013, the operator issued an amendment to its operations manual, replacing MLA with Final Reserve Fuel. It stated:

‘An Emergency condition can be considered to exist if the Commander believesthat the helicopter will land below Final Reserve Fuel (FRF).

When completing fuel calculations ……… please use 90kgs as the FRF for all flights (VFR & IFR) until further notice

With regard to the lack of radio transmission might it be that the pilot didn’t have time and was concentrating on autorotation.


Here is a video of a helicopter crash under different circumstances note how quickly disaster unfolds.  The pilot probably did not send an emergency transmission.

Full Clutha Document source.

AAIB Field Investigation

http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/AAIB%20S2-2014%20G-SPAO.pdf