ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 296042
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| Date: | Saturday 5 April 2003 |
| Time: | 10:30 LT |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 |
| Owner/operator: | E.t. Page Iii |
| Registration: | N9071K |
| MSN: | 0194 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1981 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1798 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320-A2C |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Freer, Texas -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Cotulla Airport, TX (COT/KCOT) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot was herding cattle and the helicopter was in a gentle right turn approximately 25 mph and about 20 to 30 feet AGL, when he noted a sudden loss of engine power. The pilot lowered the collective and entered an autorotation to an open area directly ahead of the aircraft. During the landing, one of the landing skids sank into the dirt and the helicopter pitched forward resulting in the main rotor blades impacting the ground. The pilot stated that the fuel gauge was reading between 5/8 and 3/4 full (13 to 14 gallons) prior to his departure from the ranch. The pilot added that the low fuel warning light did not come on prior to the reported loss of engine power. The fuel tank was found to be empty at the accident site.
Probable Cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as result of the pilot's failure to refuel en route. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for the forced landing.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB FTW03LA124
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 13-Oct-2022 15:49 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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