Helicopter Accident Involving Loss of Engine Power and Tail Boom Separation (N5311V)

Accident Description and Damage Assessment The helicopter experienced a loss of engine power and entered an autorotation to the runway surface, resulting in a hard landing. During the impact, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom. The aircraft had recently completed an annual inspection. ## Pilot Actions and Fuel Status The pilot stated that the fuel gauge indicated less than half a tank at the start of the flight. A full fuel tank, approximately 25 gallons, provides about 2 hours of flight time. The pilot was originally scheduled to conduct a post-maintenance flight check to the end of the runway and return. Instead, the pilot continued flying for about 1 hour until the power loss occurred. ## Post-Accident Examination An aviation maintenance technician examined the helicopter after the accident and found no fuel in the fuel tanks. Fixed base operator personnel who assisted after the accident did not observe any fuel spill on the ground around the helicopter. The pilot reported refueling the helicopter about 2 1/2 months earlier at his local airport, but no fueling records were on file to confirm that the helicopter had been refueled. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector also examined the helicopter and found no mechanical anomalies or breaches in the fuel system.