What happened
On the morning of the incident, a Bell 230 helicopter, registration CX-LRN, departed from Ángel S. Adami International Airport (Melilla) under an IFR flight plan. The aircraft was carrying three occupants and was en route to Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport.
During the final stages of the COPTER 24 procedure, the crew observed a low fuel quantity warning light accompanied by fluctuations in the fuel level indications. As the aircraft reached minimum descent altitudes, the crew was unable to establish visual contact with the runway due to fog. Consequently, the pilot executed a missed approach. While flying above the fog layer, a second fuel tank warning light illuminated. Due to the fuel situation, the crew decided to land within a clear area of the Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas. The landing was completed safely, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
The investigation
The CIAIA investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the fuel warnings and the decision-making process during the approach in low visibility. The investigation examined the aircraft's fuel system indications and the crew's response to the simultaneous appearance of fuel quantity warnings and deteriorating weather conditions.