During an aerial application flight, the pilot was making a spray pass at approximately three feet above the crop. During the pass the engine sputtered and died. He entered an autorotation and attempted to slow from 50 mph. The aircraft impacted terrain and came to rest on its side. The pilot noted the helicopter was refueled about an hour prior to the accident. An FAA inspector reported the helicopter was not refueled to its proper quantity, causing the pilot to miscalculate the fuel aboard. Post-impact inspection revealed an estimated two gallons or less of fuel in the intact tank.
June 10, 2010, Los Banos, Calif., Texas Helicopter Corp. OH-13E/M74
During an aerial application flight, the pilot was making a spray pass at approximately three feet above the crop. During the pass the engine sputtered and died. He entered an autorotation and attempted to slow from 50 mph. The aircraft impacted terrain and came to rest on its side.
Key Takeaways:
- A helicopter crashed during a low-altitude aerial spray pass after its engine sputtered and died.
- The accident was caused by fuel exhaustion, with post-impact inspection revealing two gallons or less remaining.
- The pilot had miscalculated the fuel aboard due to the helicopter not being refueled to its proper quantity prior to the flight.
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