Accident Details
The helicopter, operated by a commercial pilot with 2,358 hours of flight experience, was in cruise flight approximately seven nautical miles north of the airport when the engine lost power. The pilot entered an autorotation, and the helicopter impacted a petroleum coke mound. It subsequently tumbled down the face of the mound and came to rest on its left side.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector conducted an on-scene examination. The helicopter's 46-gallon fuel tank was found empty, and subsequent testing revealed no leaks. The last maintenance entry in the logbook showed a Hobbs meter reading of 366.1 hours, while the accident site reading was 369.1 hours.
Maintenance and Fuel History
The mechanic who performed the last maintenance before the accident flight reported removing 44 gallons of fuel from the tank and then returning the same fuel after maintenance. The day before the accident, the pilot flew to an air show at a nearby airport, conducting an unknown number of short flights. Prior to departing the air show, the pilot added 15 gallons of fuel. On the accident day, the pilot flew from DWH to IWS, then toward EFD when the power loss occurred.
Pilot Cooperation
The investigator-in-charge made numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report from the pilot, but these attempts were unsuccessful.