Accident Details
During a logging operation, a helicopter was hovering at an altitude of 125 feet above ground level with zero horizontal speed. The pilot had been engaged in logging activities for approximately 40 minutes, with a fuel load of 200 pounds. At that moment, the engine ceased operation. The pilot executed an autorotation in an attempt to land safely. However, the landing was hard, and the helicopter rolled over upon touchdown.
Pilot's Report
The pilot reported that the engine failure resulted from fuel exhaustion while the helicopter was in a hover. The autorotation attempted from 125 feet at zero airspeed was not within the parameters specified in the aircraft's height-velocity diagram. The height-velocity diagram, often referred to as the "dead man's curve," indicates combinations of altitude and airspeed that may not allow a safe autorotation. In this case, the conditions at the time of the engine failure were outside that safe region.
Circumstances
The incident occurred during logging operations, with the helicopter having been airborne for about 40 minutes on a 200-pound fuel load. The pilot's report did not specify any other factors. The accident resulted in the helicopter rolling over after a hard autorotational landing.