What happened
On September 27, 2002, a Bell 206B helicopter, registration PT-HVF, operated by Prática Táxi Aéreo Ltda., was performing a visual survey flight for environmental monitoring in the state of Ceará. The flight originated from Pinto Martins International Airport (SBFZ) with the intention of flying to Sobral for refueling. During the mission, a passenger became ill, prompting the pilot to land and subsequently decide to return directly to Fortaleza without refueling.
While approximately 4.3 NM from SBFZ, the engine failed. The pilot attempted an autorotation to perform a forced landing in the bed of the Siqueira River. During the approach, the aircraft encountered low-voltage power lines, which forced the pilot to reduce the rate of descent, compromising the landing procedure. The impact caused severe damage to the airframe, engine, and rotors, and the main rotor blade flexure severed the tail cone. The pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries, while the other three passengers suffered minor injuries.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation established that the aircraft had run out of fuel at the time of the accident. Investigators found that the flight duration had reached 3 hours and 40 minutes, exceeding the aircraft's documented 3-hour and 30-minute endurance. The investigation also noted that the pilot's flight plan notification was inaccurate, as the intended destination was listed as a different helipad than the one actually used.
Furthermore, the investigation scrutinized the operator's organizational culture, finding a lack of formalized training, recruitment, and supervision processes. The pilot's familiarity with the specific aircraft systems was also found to be insufficient, as evidenced by his belief that the cockpit was equipped with a low-fuel warning light, which was not present on this model.
Findings
- Fuel exhaustion was the primary cause of the engine failure.
- The pilot's decision to return to base without refueling was based on an inadequate assessment of fuel endurance, distance, and the impact of headwind components.
- The pilot lacked sufficient experience and specific training on the Bell 206B systems, specifically regarding fuel monitoring.
- Organizational deficiencies within the operator included a lack of systematic pilot training, absence of formal operational meetings, and informal recruitment and evaluation processes.
- The presence of a medical emergency involving a passenger acted as a psychological stressor, diverting the pilot's attention from necessary flight planning calculations.