What happened
On 19 October 2002, a Robinson R44 Astro, registration G-URUH, was conducting a private flight from Denham Airfield toward Newport, South Wales. After several legs of the journey, including a stop in Aberystwyth, the helicopter was transiting the Shobdon Aerodrome Traffic Zone at approximately 1304 hrs. During this transit, the engine suffered a partial or complete power loss, forcing the pilot into an autorotative descent.
The helicopter descended at an average rate of 1,000 feet per minute, striking a level field near Woofferton at a high forward speed. The impact caused the landing skids to collapse and the aircraft to roll onto its side. The pilot sustained serious injuries but was able to exit the wreckage and seek assistance from a passing motorist. There was no post-impact fire, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation focused on the engine's performance and the aircraft's fuel state. While the engine was found to be mechanically sound and free of internal damage, investigators discovered that no fuel remained in the fuel lines or the gascolator bowl at the crash site.
Analysis of the fuel uplift records from Denham Airfield revealed a discrepancy. Although the refueller believed the tanks had been topped up, the recorded uplift of 107.6 litres was approximately 36 litres short of what was required to reach a full state, based on previous fuel consumption patterns. The investigation also examined the aircraft's fuel monitoring systems, finding that the gauges and the low-fuel warning light were fully functional prior to the impact.