Incident Overview
The pilot of a helicopter reported that the LOW FUEL PRESSURE warning light illuminated in conjunction with engine roughness. Suspecting an imminent fuel pump failure, the pilot activated the electric fuel pump and diverted toward a nearby airport. While on the initial landing approach, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated an autorotation toward an open field, during which the engine began to surge.
Maneuvering and Impact
As the pilot approached the field, he turned on the landing light and briefly glimpsed powerlines. To avoid a collision, he executed a pedal turn to the right. During this maneuver, the main rotor rpm decayed, and the helicopter subsequently struck the ground.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident fuel sample taken from the engine sump disclosed the presence of water in the fuel. The source of the water contamination could not be determined. The helicopter had flown several times earlier that day and had been serviced by an airport refueling truck. No other reports of fuel contamination were received from aircraft operators serviced by the same truck.