What happened
The pilot departed Portland for Ellsworth to perform a medical transport mission, carrying 2 hours and 45 minutes of fuel. The helicopter has a total fuel capacity of approximately 570 lbs, with an estimated fuel burn rate between 200 and 220 lbs per hour. While the 97 NM flight to Ellsworth is typically completed in under one hour, the outbound leg took 1 hour and 10 minutes due to wind conditions.
After picking up the patient at Ellsworth, the pilot departed for the return flight to Portland with 310 lbs of fuel remaining. During this leg, the aircraft encountered instrument meteorological conditions and a substantial headwind ranging from 40 to 60 knots. While being vectored into the Portland airport, the engine quit, forcing the pilot to ditch the aircraft in the ocean. The ditching occurred in rough seas approximately 7 miles east of the airport.