On July 2, 1982, a Bell 47D1 (registration N929B) operated by James L. Evans was involved in an aviation accident near Louisville, KY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter pilot attempted an autorotative landing after the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion while en route to have a radio installed.
What happened
The pilot was operating a helicopter with the intention of transporting it to a facility for the installation of new avionics equipment. During the transit phase, the aircraft's engine experienced a complete loss of power. In response to the mechanical failure, the pilot executed an autorotative landing in an open field adjacent to the flight path.
Upon impact with the ground, the helicopter sustained significant structural damage. The main rotor assembly, tail rotor mechanism, tail boom structure, and landing skids were all reported as damaged. The pilot later stated that he had believed there was sufficient fuel on board to complete the intended flight to the destination airport. However, the helicopter ultimately ran out of fuel short of reaching the airfield.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing.
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