Aviation Accident Summary MIA89LA213

SARASOTA, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N3550

BELL 47G-2

Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT OBSERVED THAT HE HAD LESS THAN FULL FUEL DURING HIS PREFLT INSPN; HOWEVER, HE THOUGHT HE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH FUEL FOR HIS INTENDED SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT. NEARING THE END OF HIS ROUND ROBIN FLT (ABOUT 1 MI FROM HIS HOME BASE), THE ENG LOST POWER. THE STUDENT MADE AN AUTOROTATION, BUT THE HELICOPTER HIT A TREE DURING THE LANDING.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE & TREE(S) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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