ALBANY, TX, USA
N2550B
Robinson R22
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING MANEUVERED AT A LOW ALTITUDE (APPROXIMATELY 70 TO 80 FEET AGL) AND A LOW AIRSPEED DURING A COYOTE HUNT WHEN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AS THE PILOT INITIATED A LEFT BANKING TURN. A DOWNWIND AUTOROTATION WAS ATTEMPTED AND A HARD LANDING RESULTED. THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH LOCATED NEAR THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE 'ON' AND 'OFF' POSITION. APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 6 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE TANK. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER MAY HAVE ACCIDENTALLY MOVED THE SWITCH AS HE WAS SHOOTING FROM THE DOORWAY DURING THE FLIGHT.
FUEL STARVATION POWER LOSS DUE TO THE INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE BY THE PASSENGER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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