Incident Overview
A single-engine helicopter experienced engine sputtering while returning to its home field. The private pilot began searching for an open area to execute a precautionary landing. Selecting an unoccupied football field, the pilot initiated a descent. During the descent, the engine fully stopped. The pilot continued with an autorotational descent to the field.
Landing and Damage
The helicopter touched down hard, entering a counterclockwise spin before coming to rest upright. The tailboom sustained substantial damage during the impact.
Post-Accident Examination
An on-scene inspection revealed both fuel tanks were empty. No fuel was found under the wreckage or on the field. After adding fuel, the helicopter operator ran the engine at various settings with no anomalies observed. Additionally, the fuel low light system passed functional testing.