14 Nov 2010: SCHWEIZER 300C — Mountain One Helicopters

14 Nov 2010: SCHWEIZER 300C — Mountain One Helicopters

No fatalities • Broomfield, CO, United States

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper execution of an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

While returning back to his home field, the single-engine helicopter's engine began sputtering. The private pilot began looking for an open area to perform a precautionary landing. While descending for an unoccupied football field, the engine quit. The pilot continued the autorotation to the field. During the landing, the helicopter landed hard and spun counterclockwise before coming to rest in the upright position. Substantial damage was sustained to the tailboom. During an on-scene examination of the helicopter, the fuel tanks were both found empty. No fuel was found underneath the wreckage or on the field. After adding fuel to the engine the helicopter operator was able to run the engine at various engine settings with no anomalies. In addition, the fuel low light passed functional testing.

Contributing factors

  • cause Performance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained
  • factor Fluid management
  • cause Pilot
  • factor Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, vis 15sm

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