The FAA has issues a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin
(SAIB) directed to owners and operators of Enstrom Helicopter
Corporation-manufactured (Enstrom) 280 FX helicopters of a false
fuel quantity indication with subsequent risk exposure to fuel
exhaustion during flight. At this time, the FAA feels this
airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant
an AD.
File Photo
There has been a report of a helicopter accident that occurred
after fuel exhaustion. Investigation revealed a false
“Full” fuel quantity indication on the fuel indicator
as contributory. This false reading was due to the fuel level
sending unit wires being disconnected. A false fuel quantity
indication of “Full” results when the fuel level
sending unit wires are disconnected at the “wristlock”
located between the tops of the left and right fuel tanks, with the
master switch in the “On” position.
The FAA recommends that prior to each flight the visual check
specified in the flight manual be performed to verify fuel quantity
in the fuel tank. When the fuel tank is “Full” the fuel
quantity indicator in the cockpit should read “Full.”
If the fuel quantity in the tank is less than “Full”
and the fuel quantity indicator reads “Full” then the
fuel indicating system should be serviced per the maintenance
manual to correct any noncompliance. Additionally, a visual check
of the “wristlock” is recommended during each Periodic
Inspection to ensure the plastic covers over the
“wristlock” connections are tie-wrapped in accordance
with the maintenance manual.
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