Incident Overview
A commercial pilot, holding 15,000 hours of flight experience, reported that he departed a timber tract with 15 gallons of fuel onboard. The intended destination was another tract approximately 13 miles away. While cruising at an altitude of 600 feet above ground level (AGL) and about three miles short of the destination, the turbine-powered helicopter experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot executed an autorotation and performed a forced landing to an open field.
Examination Findings
On-site examination of the helicopter revealed that no fuel was found in the fuel nozzle. The fuel tanks contained less than three gallons of fuel. The turbine engine was subsequently removed from the helicopter and shipped to the manufacturer's facility for detailed examination and a test run. A written statement from the supervising FAA inspector, who witnessed the engine examination and test run, indicated that the engine started and operated for one hour and twenty minutes with no discrepancies noted.
Pilot and Aircraft Details
The pilot, a commercial operator, was flying an aerial application helicopter. No other occupants were reported. The accident occurred during daytime operations, and no injuries were reported. The specific aircraft type, registration, and operator were not disclosed in the source material.