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