GRAFTON, ND, USA
N8286
HILLER UH-12E
THE PLT WAS POSITIONING THE HELICOPTER FOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION PROJECT. BEFORE TAKING OFF, HE CHECKED THE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATOR & ESTIMATED THERE WAS 30 MIN OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE PROPOSED FLT WAS ESTIMATED TO TAKE 10 MIN. DURING FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PLT MADE AN AUTOROTATION WHICH TERMINATED IN A HARD LANDING. A POST ACDNT EXAM REVEALED THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY & THE FUEL GAGE TEST SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. RPRTDLY, THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH WOULD RESULT IN AN INACCURATE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATION. NO OTHER PRE-ACDNT FAILURE OR DEFICIENCY WAS FOUND.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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