VH-MEH off field landing

[172heavy]

It appears that GAM's VH-MEH conducted an off field landing in a paddock near Bathurst yesterday during the PM freight run. Looks like the pilot did a great job 👏

https://7news.com.au/news/pilot-brings-plane-down-in-paddock-next-to-great-western-hwy-near-bathurst-c-13878865

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-meh

[Desert Flower]

Emergency services were already in the area following a two-car crash in Kirkconnell which backed up traffic on the highway. Authorities have not suggested the incidents are linked.

No kidding! :ugh:

DF.

[Clinton McKenzie]

But apparently the drivers of the cars and the pilot of the GAM aircraft were not wearing hats. Spooky coincidence…

[Desert Flower]

But apparently the drivers of the cars and the pilot of the GAM aircraft were not wearing hats. Spooky coincidence…

Oh dear - & now the conspiracy theories will start!

DF.

[CIC]

But betcha the car driver did not have an ASIC card.

[TBM-Legend]

Check those tanks

[AmarokGTI]

Did anyone hear the ATC chat at the time?

[compressor stall]

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x393/screenshot_2024_03_09_at_5_40_00_pm_b4674b063fe05ba26cad5cf1 802cc6d77a8a21bf.png

Unlikely that one was shut down looking at those props. Any maydays?

Usual caveats from FR24 - looks like it got to 6400 in climb then immediate turn and descent with increase in speed then a slow steady decrease in speed to landing.

[Desert Flower]

Check those tanks

Shades of a Shrike landing on a beach in Adelaide many years ago!

DF.

[Capt Fathom]

Get the farmer to slash the grass and she'll be good to go! :E

[Pinky the pilot]

Shades of a Shrike landing on a beach in Adelaide many years ago!

Yers! My (Ours, DF) old Mate JH did a bloody good job in that case. :ok:

Fuel contamination was the culprit in that particular case, IIRC.

[Desert Flower]

Yers! My (Ours, DF) old Mate JH did a bloody good job in that case. :ok:

Fuel contamination was the culprit in that particular case, IIRC.

He sure did! This is from the ATSB report: The aircraft had been carrying sufficient fuel for the flight, the fuel tank caps were correctly secured and the fuel
tank vents were not blocked. Fuel samples taken from the fuel tanker which had recently refuelled the aircraft
showed that the correct type of fuel had been supplied, and was not contaminated.
The fuel filters were removed and fuel samples taken from the aircraft for analysis. The filters were found to be
blocked by a considerable amount of foreign matter restricting the fuel flow.

It's odd that they say "the fuel tank caps" because there was only one fuel tank cap on that old girl!

DF.

[runway16]

He sure did! This is from the ATSB report: The aircraft had been carrying sufficient fuel for the flight, the fuel tank caps were correctly secured and the fuel
tank vents were not blocked. Fuel samples taken from the fuel tanker which had recently refuelled the aircraft
showed that the correct type of fuel had been supplied, and was not contaminated.
The fuel filters were removed and fuel samples taken from the aircraft for analysis. The filters were found to be
blocked by a considerable amount of foreign matter restricting the fuel flow.

It's odd that they say "the fuel tank caps" because there was only one fuel tank cap on that old girl!

DF.
Hmm! There is an issue here. Double engine failure in a twin is very unusual. Foreign matter in the filters? What was that and how did it get in there? It looks like that aircraft will fly again after a buff-up. Good work by the pilot. Nothing worse than having a twin engine glider. Bet a change of his undies after a very strong coffee.

[Desert Flower]

Hmm! There is an issue here. Double engine failure in a twin is very unusual. Foreign matter in the filters? What was that and how did it get in there? It looks like that aircraft will fly again after a buff-up. Good work by the pilot. Nothing worse than having a twin engine glider. Bet a change of his undies after a very strong coffee.

From the ATSB report: The aircraft often operates through the channel countries of South Australia and Queensland, a lot of the time in
dusty conditions. Refuelling is carried out using drum stock when contaminants could easily be introduced into the
fuel system.
The rapid blockage of the fuel filters, which occurred after the aircraft departed, was probably the result of the
aircraft fuel system being contaminated over a period of time with an accumulation of extremely fine particles
which would have been difficult to detect during water drain checks, and settled forming a sediment at the bottom of
the tank. These remained relatively undisturbed until fuel was added to the low level of fuel in the tank, stirring the
particles into suspension. This may have concentrated the contamination so that the filters, already partially
degraded by contaminants, were further degraded quickly to a point when fuel flow to the engines was severely
restricted.

DF.

[43Inches]

I've had two cars have blocked fuel lines due to different types of contaminant in the fuel tanks, in both cases the engines ran as normal, until they didn't and stopped. Although it's interesting that it would block both/two engines at the same time. That said, I also know of a double engine failure that involved two oil pumps failing within 20 minutes of each other.

Apart from the obvious lack of fuel causing this, I can think also they possibly put AVTUR in it by mistake. Not having an engine feathered is interesting as well, a twin will glide a lot further with both feathered, some better than big singles with short wings.

[deja vu]

Maybe the old girl was just worn out.
I flew AC500 -MEH on coastal surveillance between Darwin and Kunanarra and back numerous times in 1980-1981. It wasn't a young machine even then

[Global Aviator]

Maybe the old girl was just worn out.
I flew AC500 -MEH on coastal surveillance between Darwin and Kunanarra and back numerous times in 1980-1981. It wasn't a young machine even then

Not the same machine but ya gotta love what can be done -

https://twincommander.com/custom-kits-modifications/renaissance/

[Terrey]

Bob Hoover did it for fun, and threw in some no engine aerobatics as well.

Engines shut down at 7:05 in video

Bob Hoover

[On eyre]

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x393/screenshot_2024_03_09_at_5_40_00_pm_b4674b063fe05ba26cad5cf1 802cc6d77a8a21bf.png

Unlikely that one was shut down looking at those props. Any maydays?

Usual caveats from FR24 - looks like it got to 6400 in climb then immediate turn and descent with increase in speed then a slow steady decrease in speed to landing.

So what actually happened ?
Fuel starvation caused by what exactly ?

[dejapoo]

Get the farmer to slash the grass and she'll be good to go! :E

Steve would have had it out and airborne by now.

[Pinky the pilot]

deja vu; Check your Pm's please.

[Kagamuga]

43 inches,

easy to put Jet a1 into the wrong aircraft. VH-MEH and P2-MEH parked alongside each other at BNE.
Refueler to his credit would not refuel either aircraft without the PIC being in attendance, just to make sure!.

[Capt Fathom]

43 inches,

Refueler to his credit would not refuel either aircraft with the PIC being in attendance, just to make sure!.

What…. did he ask them to leave? :E

[Kagamuga]

Capt. Fixed spelling !!! well done you....

[flyingfox]

Not the same machine but ya gotta love what can be done -

https://twincommander.com/custom-kits-modifications/renaissance/
What happened to the former MEH?

[Biggles24]

Not GAM related, but this reminds me of once finding soil inside the fuel tanks of a Piper Tomahawk at Essendon during a preflight fuel drain. Refused to fly it and the owner said they would sort it out. Turns out they did not for quite some time. Always thought it highly suspicious - the perfect contaminants to block the filter causing an engine failure. It would be difficult to differentiate the cause amongst the burnt out debris field. An insurance claim waiting to happen. Still have a photo sent to me from the hour hungry instructor who worked for the mob when they finally flew it to Moorabbin for inspection - a half a shovel load in each tank.

[AmarokGTI]

ATSB is calling it fuel exhaustion (not starvation)

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2024/report/ao-2024-008


Coincidentally (or otherwise) I heard a GAM crew asking a Rex crew a few days after this event if they could slow down and let them go number 1 as they were low on fuel.

[TCAS FAN]

Get the farmer to slash the grass and she'll be good to go! :E

Did it happen or is it coming out on a truck?

[Horatio Leafblower]

Nothing on Fight Aware since the incident flight.

[Capt Fathom]

Nothing on Fight Aware since the incident flight

No doubt staying below the radar! :E​​​​​​​

[bolthead]

Don't know if fitted, but have witnessed before on same type, the pilot pays little to no attention to the fuel gauge and concentrates on the fuel computer ( I would believe which ever one is less ). How accurate is the fuel computer? How accurate are the numbers entered? It might under read a bit or over read a bit which adds up over a few weeks if you are just entering fuel added. If it is under reading , unless you fill tanks full, you will never know until it goes very quiet.
That aircraft type is tricky to physically check a part fuel load. If they depart the main bases with full fuel, it is easy to do a daily check of the computer and gauge when filled again. Possibly their loads limit that.

[Capt Fathom]

It’s not that hard.
These pilots fly the same routes every day… same aircraft, same payload, same fuel load. Something got missed on this occasion.

[On eyre]

It’s not that hard.
These pilots fly the same routes every day… same aircraft, same payload, same fuel load. Something got missed on this occasion.

Yes - like adding fuel 😳😳

[Bog Down]

Don't know if fitted, but have witnessed before on same type, the pilot pays little to no attention to the fuel gauge and concentrates on the fuel computer ( I would believe which ever one is less ). How accurate is the fuel computer? How accurate are the numbers entered? It might under read a bit or over read a bit which adds up over a few weeks if you are just entering fuel added. If it is under reading , unless you fill tanks full, you will never know until it goes very quiet.
That aircraft type is tricky to physically check a part fuel load. If they depart the main bases with full fuel, it is easy to do a daily check of the computer and gauge when filled again. Possibly their loads limit that.

Back in my day, there were no fuel computers in any of the aircraft, that could have changed but I'm fairly sure it hasn't.

It’s not that hard.
These pilots fly the same routes every day… same aircraft, same payload, same fuel load. Something got missed on this occasion.

Yes - like adding fuel 😳😳

You're right in saying the same fuel every day, from memory the Parkes freight run is fuelled to full tanks out of Bankstown (by the truck) and then it was generally refuelled in Parkes during the day, pilots often didn't fuel in Parkes if the weather was good. Generally (if no Inter or Tempo) you had enough fuel to get back to Bankstown without refuelling.

It seems that a likely cause was the aircraft wasn't refuelled at all or to the correct full tanks amount and the pilot may not have realised.

The ATSB in their latest report is calling it a "Fuel Exhaustion" indicating they found the tanks to be dry.

[bolthead]

Also there are two types of 'full' in a Shrike. There is the slow and steady full, and there is the refueller is in a hurry and has a fast pump full. You can be surprised how much you get short changed with the second one.

[compressor stall]

There are several possibilities in running out of fuel on the final stages of flight. .

Significantly fewer of those possibilities exist so soon after take off.


That said I recall a different strike different century (almost) and maybe a different scenario. New (although experienced) pilot returned from his first long flight. Next flight was full tanks. The amount of fuel that went in showed that there would have been about 5 mins flight time remaining on arrival of the inbound aircraft.

Quick calcs showed the fuel burn without leaning the mixtures in cruise would have lead to that fuel burn over that flight.
DCM.

[Duck Pilot]

There are several possibilities in running out of fuel on the final stages of flight. .

Significantly fewer of those possibilities exist so soon after take off.


That said I recall a different strike different century (almost) and maybe a different scenario. New (although experienced) pilot returned from his first long flight. Next flight was full tanks. The amount of fuel that went in showed that there would have been about 5 mins flight time remaining on arrival of the inbound aircraft.

Quick calcs showed the fuel burn without leaning the mixtures in cruise would have lead to that fuel burn over that flight.
DCM.

That’s points directly to a failure in the training and checking system, should have also booted the check pilot who released the incident pilot to line.

No such thing as just culture in the previous century.

It’s been years since I’ve flown a Shrike Commander, however not having a means to dip the tank always made fuel calculations critical unless starting with a full tank.

[Desert Flower]

Also there are two types of 'full' in a Shrike. There is the slow and steady full, and there is the refueller is in a hurry and has a fast pump full. You can be surprised how much you get short changed with the second one.

Patience was definitely the key with those!

DF.

[havick]

Also there are two types of 'full' in a Shrike. There is the slow and steady full, and there is the refueller is in a hurry and has a fast pump full. You can be surprised how much you get short changed with the second one.

Same as the BK117.

[Pinky the pilot]

Patience was definitely the key with those!

Those words of wisdom coming from a Lady who refuelled a Shrike Commander (and a few Chieftains) more times than I've had hot dinners!!:ok:

Betcha miss the Minties and Fruitcake slices!

[prickly]

No refueller can consider themselves experienced until they have filled an MU2 whilst adding Prist.

[Desert Flower]

No refueller can consider themselves experienced until they have filled an MU2 whilst adding Prist.

Well dang - I guess I can't call myself experienced then, because although I've fuelled several MU2's in my time (had two N-registered ones on the ground at once on one occasion) I was never asked to put Prist in. Put it in a fair few other aircraft though!

DF.

[AmarokGTI]

Video from yesterday - MEH lifted by helicopter to YBTH

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/hkk5xD5TMoNYJKGu/?mibextid=WC7FNe

[Lead Balloon]

Looks like EH-60A Black Hawk N61AA did the job:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/n61aa_eh_60a_black_hawk_338303ad0d0ca23fb26c90867ca6ded15b28 9ef3.jpg
:

[KRviator]

I can't be the only one wonderin' so I'll ask the question - why the drogue chute out the back when the aircraft itself would be directionally stable anyway on account of the fin & rudder?

[Lead Balloon]

I doubt the fin and rudder would do much at the slow transit speed, but happy to stand corrected.

(I'm reminded of the not-so-successful attempt to lift the Searey off Lake Eyre and carry her to William Creek. Helicopter crew jettisoned the Searey after she started to swing increasingly during the transit. Thing ended up a pancake on the back of a trailer. Sad picture.)

[Gne]

I can't be the only one wonderin' so I'll ask the question - why the drogue chute out the back when the aircraft itself would be directionally stable anyway on account of the fin & rudder?
Looks more like a wind indicator (windsock) used as warning flag, much the same as used on wide loads on the highways.

MJG

[Duck Pilot]

The chute prevents the requirement to have a pilot in the aircraft to keep it straight and level. Disadvantage is that if the aircraft is jettisoned from the helicopter it will pretty much plummet to the ground whereas if there was a pilot in it, the aircraft could be flown to a forced landing area.

I's all about safety and risk mitigation, as per the CASA requirements.

There are a few questions about this in the CASA exams.

Pilot will also be able to log the hours as well.

[Squawk7700]

The chute prevents the requirement to have a pilot in the aircraft to keep it straight and level. Disadvantage is that if the aircraft is jettisoned from the helicopter it will pretty much plummet to the ground whereas if there was a pilot in it, the aircraft could be flown to a forced landing area.

I's all about safety and risk mitigation, as per the CASA requirements.

There are a few questions about this in the CASA exams.

Pilot will also be able to log the hours as well.

It’s fairly safe to be in it, but there’s a dead-man’s curve below about 1,000ft for the aircraft to gain flying speed after being dropped off.

[Valdiviano]

https://www.100asa.com.au/
Lead Ballon, here is the SeaRey you refer to, ready to embark
on another adventure

[Mach E Avelli]

Well dang - I guess I can't call myself experienced then, because although I've fuelled several MU2's in my time (had two N-registered ones on the ground at once on one occasion) I was never asked to put Prist in. Put it in a fair few other aircraft though!

DF.
Maybe you never worked in the Arctic then? If you didn’t get the ladder jammed under the wing, you done good, but…

[Desert Flower]

Maybe you never worked in the Arctic then? If you didn’t get the ladder jammed under the wing, you done good, but…

Eh no - just in the far north of South Australia. And I didn't get a ladder jammed under the wing because I knew how those suckers could drop without warning!

DF.

[WingNut60]

The chute prevents the requirement to have a pilot in the aircraft to keep it straight and level. Disadvantage is that if the aircraft is jettisoned from the helicopter it will pretty much plummet to the ground whereas if there was a pilot in it, the aircraft could be flown to a forced landing area.


What happens to the cable when the aircraft is jettisoned?
It disconnects at the top end, I believe.

It'd make "flying to a forced landing area" a bit tricky, I'd have thought.

[Duck Pilot]

What happens to the cable when the aircraft is jettisoned?
It disconnects at the top end, I believe.

It'd make "flying to a forced landing area" a bit tricky, I'd have thought.

Hook line and sinker, didn’t take long!

Clearly demonstrates the level of in experience within the aviation industry at the moment!

[WingNut60]

Hook line and sinker, didn’t take long!

Clearly demonstrates the level of in experience within the aviation industry at the moment!
I merely posed a question.
Don't want to answer? No problem.

[Lead Balloon]

https://www.100asa.com.au/
Lead Ballon, here is the SeaRey you refer to, ready to embark
on another adventure
As an erstwhile owner of a SeaRey, I'm very happy to hear that, Valdiviano!