Incident Description
A Massachusetts State Police (MSP) helicopter departed a heliport with two crewmembers and two passengers. It climbed to approximately 600 feet above a river when witnesses observed a puff of "smoke" or vapor emanating from the engine exhaust. The helicopter then turned toward the river bank and descended at an angle between 45 and 70 degrees. Witnesses reported that the main rotor blades were either turning slowly or had stopped before the helicopter collided with a boat house roof.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the helicopter revealed no preimpact failure of the main rotor or transmission. However, inspection of the engine found that five of the six fuel injection ports were clogged. Samples from the helicopter's fuel system contained iron oxide and water.
The MSP operated a 6,000 gallon in-ground fuel storage tank that had not been maintained or secured in 14 years, aside from a filter change between 1984 and 1986. Fuel samples from this storage tank contained high levels of rust and water, as well as degraded thermal properties.
Further investigation identified a lack of oversight in the MSP air operations. Records showed no training, safety, or fuel management program. In the past five years, the pilot involved received only one training session, consisting of a two-day ground school and one formal training flight.