WASECA, MN, USA
N8471E
BELL 47G-B3
DRG A RETURN FLT TO THE NURSE TRUCK AFTER AERIAL APPLICATION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE HELICOPTER WAS AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL WITH A TAILWIND WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED. HE HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO TURN INTO THE WIND, SO HE MADE AN AUTOROTATION WITH A TAILWIND IN A BEAN FIELD, MANEUVERING ONLY TO AVOID A POWER LINE. DRG THE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER ROCKED FORWARD & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM AS THE PLT APPLIED AFT CYCLIC. A POST-ACDNT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY.
INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE TAILWIND, HIGH OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE), AND CROP (BEANS) WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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