WENATCHEE, WA, USA
N893FW
Hiller UH-12E
The game survey flight had departed Wenatchee about 2.5 hours before the accident. The pilot had planned on landing at Brewster, Washington, where a truck was located for refueling during the survey flight. Weather at the refueling site precluded landing, so the pilot had elected to return to Wenatchee. He experienced a loss of engine power and autorotated to the surface one mile northwest of Wenatchee, Washington. Immediately before the loss of power, he noted a low fuel-pressure light. He stated to FAA inspectors that he had sustained fuel exhaustion.
On December 17, 1998, at 1559 Pacific standard time, a Hiller UH-12E, N893FW, experienced a loss of engine power and autorotated to the surface one mile northwest of Wenatchee, Washington. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were uninjured, but the helicopter sustained substantial damage. No flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR 91 game survey flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot disabled the ELT immediately after the impact. The flight had departed Wenatchee about 2.5 hours before the accident. The pilot had planned on landing at Brewster, Washington, where a truck was located for refueling during the survey flight. Weather at the refueling site precluded landing, so the pilot had elected to return to Wenatchee. Immediately before the loss of power, the pilot noted a low fuel-pressure light. The pilot stated to FAA inspectors that he had sustained fuel exhaustion.
Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to accomplish refueling.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
