HARDING TWNP, NJ, USA
N5754J
BELL 206B
WHILE APPROACHING THE ARPT THE ENG BEGAN TO SURGE. THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY OFF APRT LANDING. DURING TOUCHDOWN ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE FROM AN AUTOROTATION, THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM. POST CRASH EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 10 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE ENG WAS OPERATED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PLT STATED HE HAD DEPARTED APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER HAD 50 GALLONS OF FUEL AT DEPARTURE AND ACCORDING TO BELL HELICOPTER THE HELICOPTER BURNS 25 GALLONS PER HOUR. ACCORDING TO A BELL HELICOPTER REPRESENTATIVE, FUEL STARVATION COULD OCCUR WITH UP TO 10 GALLONS OF FUEL IF THE BOOST PUMPS ARE NOT USED.
THE PILOTS ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT THE FLIGHT WITH LESS THAN REQUIRED FUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER WHILE PERFORMING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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