Pilot Debrief

SCHWEIZER 300C near Broomfield, CO — 2010-11-14

Final reportCEN11CA068
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Date
2010-11-14
Location
Broomfield, CO, USA
Aircraft
SCHWEIZER 300C
Registration
N299RJ
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper execution of an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, while returning back to his home airport the helicopter's engine began to sputter. He elected to perform a precautionary landing and, while descending to an unoccupied football field, the engine lost total power. During touchdown, the helicopter landed hard and spun counterclockwise before coming to rest in the upright position, substantially damaging the tailboom. An on-scene examination of the helicopter revealed that both fuel tanks were empty and that no fuel was observed underneath the wreckage or on the field. After adding fuel, the engine the helicopter operator was able to run the engine at various power settings with no anomalies.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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