RIMROCK, WA, USA
N5211R
HUGHES 369D
THE PILOT WAS IN A HOVER AT 125 FEET AGL AND ZERO HORIZONTAL VELOCITY WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE HAD BEEN CONDUCTING LOGGING OPERATIONS FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES ON A 200 POUND FUEL LOAD. HE EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION BUT LANDED HARD WITH THE HELICOPTER ROLLING OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE RAN OUT OF FUEL WHILE IN THE HOVER. AUTOROTATION FROM 125 FEET AT ZERO AIRSPEED WAS OUTSIDE THE PARAMETERS OF THE AIRCRAFT'S 'HEIGHT - VELOCITY' DIAGRAM.
On April 1, 1994, approximately 1240 hours Pacific standard time (pst), a Hughes 369D, N5211R, registered to Rex Bailes Corp., being operated by Chet Rasberry, Inc., and being flown by Timothy D. Lyons, a certificated commercial rotorcraft pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total power loss while in a hover near Rimrock, Washington. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was concluding a long line operation, was to have been conducted in accordance with 14CFR133, and had departed approximately 1200 local time with 200 pounds of fuel. The pilot reported that while in a hover, approximately 125 feet above ground, he experienced a loss of power. He executed an autorotation and a hard landing followed during which the helicopter rolled over. The pilot reported to the operator that he had run out of gas. A representative of the manufacturer stated that autorotations conducted from a zero airspeed hover of 125 feet above ground were within the "dead man's curve" area of the aircraft's "Height - Velocity" diagram.
FUEL EXHAUSTION, THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE INABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTE AN AUTO- ROTATION LANDING BECAUSE OF THE LOW ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
