Originally Posted by
Jack Carson
I would like to revisit the fuel starvation scenario. Back in the 1980s our unit had a similar inflight breakup of a Bell AH-1S. I was determined that the cause may have been the result of an inadvertent rollback of the engine at high speed and max power. This resulted in the rotor extreme main rotor flapping causing it to contact the airframe in multiple places as it departed the aircraft. It concerns me that the pilot request fuel within 3 minutes of takeoff into what would have been a relatively short flight.
It would, perhaps , be quite normal to advise ops that you would need fuel after your flight when you are busy and perhaps there is one pad designated for fuelling or the(y have to advise a fueler. I know not what the normal procedure is for this operator. In any case the investigation should reveal whether the low level warning light and/or boost pump lights were on.