Final report after MD600N accident in Stockholm
Jun 30, 2015
The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (Statens Haverikommission, SHK) has published its final report following an accident that occurred in Kungsängen, moments northwest of Sweden's capital Stockholm, on 14 July 2014.
The aircraft involved in the accident was a private McDonnell Douglas MD600N registered SE-JKJ. It was approaching Stockholm during a ferry flight from Frösö Airport in Östersund when the engine suddenly quit. The 2100-hour pilot, who was the only person on board, entered an autorotation and did a 180-degree turn to reach land since he was over water. The helicopter ended up downwind in a heavy-flare landing in a farmland, after which it flipped over and obtained substantial damages. The pilot walked away unharmed.
The Swedish Accident Investigation Board concluded that the accident was caused by fuel starvation due to a malfunctioning fuel transfer system. Approximately 30 litres of fuel remained in the helicopter upon the time of the accident, but that could not be supplied to the engine due to a contaminated check valve. The accident board found that the helicopter’s Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) had failed to perform the manufacturer’s mandatory annual check of the fuel transfer system, which is considered to be a contributing factor to the accident.
The SHK continues its report by raising concerns regarding the foil body wrapping of the helicopter. The MD600 had been provided with a full-body advertisement coating that was of such an extent that it was to be considered an unauthorized modification of the helicopter. This did not, however, contribute to the accident.