MIAMI, FL, USA
N4837
BELL 47G
THE PILOT OF THE HELICOPTER PLANNED A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT AND ESTIMATED HE HAD 8 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION ABOUT 12 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF. AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO STRETCH THE GLIDE TO A CLEARING TO AVOID TREES, THE ROTOR RPM DECAYED AND A HARD LANDING OCCURRED.
INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE LOCATION OF TREES WAS A RELATED FACTOR IN THAT THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REACH A SUITABLE LANDING AREA DURING THE AUTOROTATION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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