Accident Overview
On January 13, 2016, about 1000 Pacific standard time, an Enstrom F-28F helicopter, registration N756H, impacted terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude about 5 miles southeast of Ritter, Oregon. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the passenger had no injuries. The helicopter was registered to BRD Equipment LLC of Adams, Oregon, and operated by Southern Helicopter Company of Pendleton, Oregon, as a personal local flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site about the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from and was destined to return to a private residence near Ritter, Oregon.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was for predator animal control in an area of adjoining ranches. During the flight, the fuel indicator began "bouncing back and forth and read erratically." Consequently, the pilot used his watch to time his fuel burn to estimate when to return to the fuel point. As the pilot was about to return to the fuel point, the fuel indicator stabilized with about one quarter of a tank of fuel, and the pilot flew in the direction of the fuel truck. The pilot stated he was about 100 feet above the terrain when the low fuel indicator illuminated, and subsequently the engine lost power. The pilot estimated he had a 20 mile per hour tailwind and performed a 180-degree turn to point the nose of the helicopter into the wind while autorotating. After completing the turn, the pilot did not see any flat or open terrain and chose to land on a rocky outcropping to avoid landing in trees. The helicopter impacted terrain.
Damage
During impact, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor gear box.