Incident Overview
A helicopter pilot experienced an engine failure while on approach to an airport, leading to a forced landing in a cemetery. The pilot had previously made two intermediate landings to determine his position after finding himself off course.
Sequence of Events
The pilot had calculated that he had over two hours of fuel for the final leg of his flight. During the flight, he realized he was off course to the west. He landed the helicopter without shutting down the engine to ascertain his position. After taking off heading east, he found it necessary to land again, this time shutting off the engine, to confirm his location. He determined that he was approximately five miles south of his intended landing airport.
At that point, the pilot reported that he had about four gallons of fuel remaining.
Forced Landing
While on approach to the airport, the helicopter's engine failed. The pilot executed a forced landing in a cemetery. The landing was short of the intended landing area, and the helicopter impacted with a headstone.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the source.