The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Accident Number: WPR21LA293
Date and Time: July 28, 2021, 11:30 Local
Registration: N46MU
Aircraft: Enstrom F-28A
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, while the helicopter was in the hanger, he put 4 gallons of fuel into the left fuel tank. He then intended to hover taxi to the fuel island for fuel. He observed people and an aircraft near the fuel island, and he hover taxied to a dirt area. While about 12-15 ft above ground level, the engine had a complete loss of power. He further reported that he was too low to autorotate, landed hard on uneven terrain and collapsed the left skid. An inspection revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent hard landing on uneven terrain.
Findings
Aircraft Fuel - Fluid level
Personnel issues Fuel planning - Pilot
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Environmental issues Sloped/uneven terrain - Contributed to outcome
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-hover Fuel exhaustion (Defining event)
Maneuvering-hover Loss of engine power (total)
Autorotation Hard landing
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 67,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Helicopter Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: March 11, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 25, 2020
Flight Time: (Estimated) 3100 hours (Total, all aircraft), 5 hours (Total, this make and model), 2885 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Enstrom
Registration: N46MU
Model/Series: F-28A
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1974
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 253
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 3
Date/Type of Last Inspection: August 23, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2150 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 5 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3907 Hrs
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: HIO-360-C1A
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 205
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMUO,2996 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 11:58 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 231°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 15000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 12 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 320°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Mountain Home, ID (U76)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Mountain Home, ID
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 11:30 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Mountain Home Municipal Airport U76
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 3166 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Soft
Runway Used:
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 43.131389,-115.7303
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