Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper planning and decision making resulting in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's premature application of collective resulting in a hard landing and substantial damage.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was returning to land when he noted that the fuel level was low. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power and the pilot attempted an autorotation to an open field, resulting in a hard landing, and substantial damage to the helicopter. The loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. An examination of the remaining systems revealed no anomalies. According to the pilot, he departed with 19 gallons of fuel, and had calculated this represented 1 hour and 20 minutes of fuel.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to a telephone conversation with the pilot, he had just finished a photo documentation flight in the Denver International Airport area. He was returning to Centennial Airport when he noted that the fuel level was low. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power and the pilot attempted an autorotation to an open field, resulting in a hard landing. During the landing, the main rotor blades contacted the tail boom, severing the tail rotor, and bending all three rotor blades. Following the accident, less than a quarter of a gallon of fuel was recovered from the left and right fuel tanks. Fuel was added and the engine ran without hesitation or issues for five minutes. An examination of the remaining systems revealed no anomalies. According to the pilot, he departed with 19 gallons of fuel, and had calculated this represented 1 hour and 20 minutes of fuel.