028/18

Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
Aviation New Zealand
Text
This accident was the result of fine clay particles within the engine fuel system causing a momentary reduction in engine power. Fuel contamination is a greater risk for operators that conduct refuelling in the field or at remote locations.

Clear guidance material for remote refuelling procedures is not readily accessible to general aviation operators. AC91-22 and the Fuel Management – Good Aviation Practice booklet both contain some information under the heading ‘Fuelling Procedures’. However, this content is limited with regard to remote operations, mobile tanks, in-field fuel handling, crew training and equipment recommendations.

Aviation New Zealand represents the interests of the commercial aviation community, and the New Zealand Helicopter Association is a division of Aviation New Zealand.

On 24 October 2018 the Commission recommended that the President of Aviation New Zealand promulgate the lessons learned from this accident to its members with a view to increasing awareness of the risk of fuel contamination during remote refuelling procedures.
Reply Text
We accept the Aviation NZ recommendation in the referenced TAIC report; will be advising our members through the weekly newsletter, in the divisional newsletters to the NZAAA and NZHA divisions as well as communicating it in divisional meetings; reaffirming it in the upcoming Council meeting; that we expect to finish these actions by the end of January; and that we will ensure the importance of this issue is communicated through the safety seminars we will be running with members next year.
Related Investigation(s)