What happened
The pilot departed the airport with a limited fuel supply, carrying approximately 10 gallons of fuel onboard the helicopter. During the flight, which lasted about 40 minutes, the crew was conducting a traffic watch while on approach to the airport. As the aircraft neared its destination, the engine ceased functioning due to complete fuel exhaustion.
Following the loss of power, the pilot initiated an autorotation to maintain control and attempt a safe landing. During the touchdown phase, the helicopter's skids penetrated the soft ground surface. This interaction caused the aircraft to become unstable, resulting in a rollover.
The investigation
Examination of the event focused on the sequence of mechanical failure and the subsequent impact dynamics. The engine failure was directly linked to the depletion of fuel reserves. The structural damage resulted from the rollover incident after skid penetration into soft terrain.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was the decision to take off with insufficient fuel for the intended flight duration and approach procedures. Contributing to the severity of the outcome was the ground condition at the landing site, which allowed the skids to dig in during the autorotation touchdown.