HARRAH, WA, USA
N6145C
BELL 47G-2
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE FUEL QUANTITY GUAGES INDICATED THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL TO COMPLETE ONE MORE LOAD AND STILL HAVE AN ADEQUATE RESERVE. AFTER DISPENSING THE LOAD, THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE HE WAS RETURNING TO THE NURSE TRUCK. AT THAT TIME, THE HELICOPTER WAS AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL AND WAS ABOUT TO CROSS A POWER LINE. THE PILOT TURNED TO AVOID THE POWER LINE AND LEVELED THE HELICOPTER, BUT IT LANDED HARD. THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT RECEIVED A COMPRESSION FRACTURE OF A VERTEBRA. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY AND NO SIGN OF A FUEL LEAK WAS FOUND.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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