ATSB doesnt seem to reflect on the unwritten company policy of not having fuel in the tip tanks due to the short sectors and many many landings these cherokees made in one day!!!
(Trying to eade a bit of the strain on the poor HEAVY beasts)
Can someone tell me how long a C6 will run on about 1-2 litres of fuel that is kept in the tip tanks to keep the seals wet...
I would guess around enough time to start, taxi from HIA full backtrack of 14 as andrew would usually do and takeoff to the end of the threshold before exhaustion!!!!
Interesting!!!! Could have been as simple as someone kicking the fuel selector to the AUX tank as it is conveiently located on the floor...
As for the Alcohol thing the Chief pilot (helicopters) was on board for the leg SHR-YBHM (the leg immediately before the fateful one) I am verry sure he would have noticed if there was something amiss Re: smelling like a brewery!!
RIP Andrew, I didnt know you very well but felt very comfortable on the odd trip between SHR-YBHM.....