Fuel exhaustion — Bell 206B JetRanger, mustering

Summary

A Bell 206B JetRanger conducting cattle mustering operations near Mt Isa experienced engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot executed an autorotation landing on the station property. The aircraft sustained damage to the landing skids and tail boom on landing in rough terrain. The pilot was uninjured.

Investigation Findings (4)

1. 01The pilot had not landed for a fuel check as planned due to extended time on the muster.
2. 02The station manager had not enforced the fuel stop schedule in the operator's operations manual.
3. 03Fuel management training was subsequently reinforced across the operator's mustering pilot group.
4. 04ATSB identified a systemic issue with informal fuel management in low-level mustering operations and recommended CASA review mustering operator oversight.