What happened
The aircraft was operating in normal cruise flight when it experienced a complete loss of engine power. In response to the emergency, the pilot initiated an autorotational descent to land. However, the pilot misjudged the timing and height of the flare maneuver during the final phase of the landing. This error resulted in a hard impact with the ground, causing substantial damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators examined the helicopter's systems and fuel state. The inspection revealed that there was only unusable fuel remaining in the tanks at the time of the incident. To verify the mechanical integrity of the powerplant, fuel was added to the tanks after recovery. Upon refueling, the engine operated normally, confirming that the failure was not due to a mechanical malfunction but rather a lack of available fuel.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the depletion of usable fuel during flight. The subsequent hard landing and substantial damage were direct consequences of the pilot's inability to execute a safe autorotation due to insufficient altitude or misjudgment of the flare point.