TOLLESON, AZ, USA
N7086
HILLER UH-12E
THE PILOT OF THE SPRAY HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE AFTER A TAKEOFF FROM A REFUELING STOP. THE AIRCRAFT AUTOROTATED INTO AN OPEN FIELD, BOUNCED AND ROLLED OVER INTO ITS SIDE. A FUEL SAMPLE TAKEN ON THE SAME DAY REVEALED THAT APPROXIMATELY 15% OF THE FUEL WAS WATER. A LATER TEST OF THE FUEL BY THE COMPANY REVEALED THAT CONTAMINATION WAS TWO QUARTS TO FIVE GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SUPPLY WHICH PRECEDED AN AUTOROTATION AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND DURING NIGHT TIME CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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