What happened
On October 12, 2013, at approximately 10:26 AM, an Enstrom 280FX helicopter, registration SP-GMB, departed from a field in Hermanów, Poland, for a short flight to Międzychód-Bielsko. The flight was intended for a private purpose, transporting the pilot and a passenger.
Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter flew at a very low altitude, maneuvering just above the treetops. After approximately 730 meters of flight, the engine ceased operation. The aircraft struck tree branches with its left landing skid, causing the helicopter to roll 90 degrees to the left and crash into the forest. The impact caused the main rotor blades to strike trees and the fuselage to strike a pine tree before hitting the ground. The aircraft was destroyed and partially consumed by fire. The pilot and the passenger both sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The Polish State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) examined the wreckage, flight history, and fuel systems. The investigation established that the engine stopped because the fuel supply was interrupted. Investigators found that while the aircraft was properly maintained and the pilot was fully qualified, the fuel system lacked a low-fuel warning light, which could have alerted the crew to the dwindling supply. The investigation also noted that the pilot's flight path—extremely low over the forest canopy—left no margin for an autorotative landing once the engine failed.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the spontaneous engine shutdown due to fuel exhaustion.
- The low altitude of the flight prevented the execution of a safe autorotative landing following the engine failure.
- The pilot's rapid application of the collective lever caused a significant decrease in main rotor RPM, contributing to the loss of control.
- The aircraft's fuel system lacked a low-fuel indicator light to signal remaining fuel levels.
- The pilot's failure to use the right pedal during the emergency led to the aircraft rolling to the left.
Safety action
The PKBWL issued a safety recommendation to the Enstrom Helicopter Corporation (via the NTSB) to install a low-fuel warning light in their aircraft to improve pilot awareness of remaining fuel levels.