Summary
On April 01, 1994, a Hughes 369D (N5211R) was involved in an accident near Rimrock, WA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: FUEL EXHAUSTION, THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE INABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTE AN AUTO- ROTATION LANDING BECAUSE OF THE LOW ALTITUDE.
On April 1, 1994, approximately 1240 hours Pacific standard time (pst), a Hughes 369D, N5211R, registered to Rex Bailes Corp., being operated by Chet Rasberry, Inc., and being flown by Timothy D. Lyons, a certificated commercial rotorcraft pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total power loss while in a hover near Rimrock, Washington. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was concluding a long line operation, was to have been conducted in accordance with 14CFR133, and had departed approximately 1200 local time with 200 pounds of fuel.
The pilot reported that while in a hover, approximately 125 feet above ground, he experienced a loss of power.
This accident is documented in NTSB report SEA94LA094. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5211R.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
FUEL EXHAUSTION, THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE INABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTE AN AUTO- ROTATION LANDING BECAUSE OF THE LOW ALTITUDE.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 1, 1994, approximately 1240 hours Pacific standard time (pst), a Hughes 369D, N5211R, registered to Rex Bailes Corp., being operated by Chet Rasberry, Inc., and being flown by Timothy D. Lyons, a certificated commercial rotorcraft pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total power loss while in a hover near Rimrock, Washington. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was concluding a long line operation, was to have been conducted in accordance with 14CFR133, and had departed approximately 1200 local time with 200 pounds of fuel.
The pilot reported that while in a hover, approximately 125 feet above ground, he experienced a loss of power. He executed an autorotation and a hard landing followed during which the helicopter rolled over. The pilot reported to the operator that he had run out of gas.
A representative of the manufacturer stated that autorotations conducted from a zero airspeed hover of 125 feet above ground were within the "dead man's curve" area of the aircraft's "Height - Velocity" diagram.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA94LA094