Summary
Circumstances:
The aircraft had reportedly been shut down for about an hour. After refuelling, the aircraft was started and the pilot noticed smoke coming from under the seat. He shut down the engine and by this time flames were seen under and around the back of the engine. The pilot grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran to another aircraft for assistance. Attempts to put out the fire were reportedly thwarted by the heat of the fire and as there was a significant quantity of ammunition on board, everyone hid behind a tree until the fire burnt out.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199000595 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 25/09/1990 |
| Location | Tin Pan Creek, (30 km north-east of Jabiru) |
| State | Northern Territory |
| Report release date | 04/04/1991 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Fire |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
|---|---|
| Model | 47 |
| Registration | VH-SUC |
| Serial number | 6774 |
| Sector | Helicopter |
| Operation type | Aerial Work |
| Departure point | Tin Pan Creek NT |
| Destination | Megan Valley NT |
| Damage | Destroyed |