Overview
A helicopter experienced a loss of engine power while conducting agricultural spraying in Illinois. The pilot initiated an autorotative landing to a road, but due to traffic, attempted to land beyond the roadway, where the helicopter struck a guard rail and ended up in a lake.
Flight History
Prior to the incident, the helicopter had flown approximately one hour from Roselle to Sublette, Illinois. It then flew another half hour to survey the area designated for spraying. The helicopter was not refueled after departing Roselle.
Power Loss and Forced Landing
About ten minutes after departing to begin spraying, the engine lost power. The pilot started an autorotative descent aiming for a road. However, vehicular traffic on the road prevented a landing there, so the pilot attempted to land beyond the roadway. During this maneuver, the helicopter struck a guard rail and subsequently came to rest in a lake.
Fuel Exhaustion
According to company personnel, fuel exhaustion had occurred. The source of the power loss was attributed to fuel exhaustion, as the helicopter had not been refueled after the initial flight from Roselle to Sublette.