What happened
On February 28, 2012, a Bell 206 B III helicopter, registered as TG-SAN, crashed in the Finca Guarumo area within the municipality of Puerto Barrios, Department of Izabal, Guatemala. The aircraft was involved in an accident during a flight that had originated from the Peten department, traveling toward Guatemala City.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the Unidad de Investigación de Accidentes (UIA) of the DGAC focused on the technical aspects of the crash and the condition of the aircraft's consumables. During the examination of the wreckage, investigators recovered fuel from the engine fuel filter bowl.
To determine the exact nature of the accident, the investigation required specialized chemical analysis. The authorities sought to engage a third-party laboratory, Oil Test International, to perform comprehensive testing on the recovered fuel samples. The requested analysis included testing for specific gravity, flash point, distillation, density, and particulate contamination to identify the exact type and quality of the fuel used during the flight.
Findings
- The investigation identified potential fuel contamination as a primary area of concern following the inspection of the engine fuel filter.
- The recovered fuel samples required laboratory verification to check for impurities or incorrect fuel grades that could have compromised engine performance.