AIKEN, SC, USA
N9146F
HUGHES 369HS
DURING A LANDING, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD. THE PLT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE 15 MIN FLT, THE FUEL GAGE WAS INDICATING 125 LBS OF FUEL & AT THE ACCIDENT SITE IT INDICATED 90 LBS OF FUEL. A POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT 3 SUPPORT BRACKETS WERE NOT INSTALLED IN THE FUEL CELL & ONLY A TRACE OF FUEL WAS REMAINING. THE ABSENCE OF THE BRACKETS PERMITTED THE FUEL CELL TO COLLAPSE AS FUEL WAS CONSUMED & RESULTED IN ERRONEOUS FUEL GAGE READINGS. THE FUEL LOW CAUTION INDICATOR WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE DUE TO A CANNON PLUG THAT WAS IMPROPERLY WIRED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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