Page, AZ, USA
N129AL
AGUSTA A109
The pilot reported that at 70 miles from his destination he determined that he would be landing closer to minimum fuel than he had planned. He continued to the destination and passed over one airport because it did not have any services. At 35 miles from the destination, the low fuel caution-warning for fuel tank 2 illuminated, followed by a low fuel caution-warning for fuel tank 1. The pilot thought that he would still land with some reserve and continued to fly to his destination airport. Approximately 1 mile from the destination airport the helicopter experienced a dual engine flame-out. The pilot autorotated to a sports field where the helicopter landed hard, sustaining damage to the main rotor blades, tail rotor, tail boom, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engines had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.
On September 22, 2009, at 1600 Pacific daylight time, an Agusta A109, N129AL, landed hard in a athletic field 1 mile from the Page Municipal Airport, Page, Arizona. Omniflight Helicopters operated the helicopter under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a positioning flight. The commercial pilot was not injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan had been filed. The helicopter departed Mesa, Arizona, at 1414. The pilot reported that at 70 miles from his destination he determined that he would be landing closer to minimum fuel than he had planned. He continued to the destination and passed the Tuba City Airport because it did not have any services. At 35 miles from the destination, the low fuel caution-warning for fuel tank 2 illuminated, followed by a low fuel caution-warning for fuel tank 1. The pilot continued to fly to his destination, and thought he would still land with some reserve. Approximately 1 mile from the destination airport the helicopter experienced a dual engine flame-out. The pilot autorotated to a sports field where the helicopter landed hard, sustaining damage to the main rotor blades, tail rotor, tail boom, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engines had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and his decision to continue flight with a known low fuel level state.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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