KOUNTZE, TX, USA
N58261
HUGHES 369D
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED TO DISPENSE FERTILIZER FROM A BUCKET ON A LINE. WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION, THE PLT TRIED TO DROP THE BUCKET, BUT IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BUCKET & LINE BECAME TANGLED IN TREES & THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON THE FRONT END OF THE LEFT SKID. THE TAILBOOM WAS CHOPPED OFF & THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE. THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING THE FLT, HE NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE READING SEEMED TO STAY AT ABOUT 120 LBS, BUT HE DID NOT SUSPECT A PROBLEM, SINCE HE HAD NEVER HAD A PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE GAUGE.
FALSE INDICATIONS OF THE FUEL QUANTITY SYSTEM, WHICH LED THE PILOT TO BELIEVE HA HAD MORE FUEL THAN HE DID.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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