The Australian Transport Safety Bureau did not conduct an on
scene investigation of this occurrence. The report presented below
was derived from information supplied to the Bureau.
The pilot of a Cessna 210 aircraft, registered VH-TFI, who was
the sole occupant of the aircraft, was conducting a freight charter
flight to several locations in the Northern Territory.
At Baikal airstrip the pilot added 100 L of fuel to the
aircraft's left fuel tank from drum stock stored at the
airstrip.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot selected the left fuel tank.
The engine then began to surge and run roughly. After seeking
advice from the company maintenance staff, he attempted,
unsuccessfully, to identify the problem before landing at Utopia
station.
The pilot again sought advice from the company maintenance staff
before departing Utopia station. Soon after departure, engine oil
sprayed onto the windscreen and the engine caught fire and lost
power. The pilot intended to return to Utopia station, but almost
immediately, the engine failed completely. During the forced
landing in an area of low scrub and scattered trees, the pilot
sustained facial injuries and the loss of some teeth, but after
regaining consciousness was able to vacate the aircraft unassisted.
The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Examination of the aircraft by a company engineer revealed that
the engine had failed after sustaining catastrophic damage due to
contamination of the aircraft's fuel by Jet A1 fuel. The operator
reported that when refuelling the aircraft at Baikal, the pilot
inadvertently used a drum of Jet A1 fuel.
The operator advised the ATSB that they have amended their
refuelling procedures to preclude a recurrence of this
accident.