Hughes 269C N1103R

Summary

On 17 August 1998 at about 23:10 local time, a Hughes 269C registered N1103R, operated by Summit Seafood Supply, was involved in an accident near Houston, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 August 1998 at 23:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Houston, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.7501, -95.6204

Aircraft

Hughes 269C

Registration

N1103R

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Summit Seafood Supply

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Galveston → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA362

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an instructional solo cross-country flight, about 1 hour 25 minutes after takeoff, the helicopter's engine lost power. During the ensuing autorotational landing, the helicopter impacted trees. The pilot reported that after the second time the rotor rpm briefly decreased from the normal operating range, he elected to land the helicopter. The pilot further reported that the engine 'sounded' okay. During the descent for landing, at 1,000 feet msl, the engine started losing power. A witness observed the helicopter at an estimated altitude of 1,500 feet. The engine was 'cutting in and out and the aircraft was yawing.' Examination of the accident site by FAA inspectors revealed no evidence of a fuel spill. A total of one cup of fuel was drained from both fuel tanks, and about one ounce of fuel was found in the gascolator. According to the helicopter manufacturer, the fuel consumption for this helicopter is 12-14 gallons per hour. The airline transport rated pilot undergoing instruction for a helicopter rating and his flight instructor visually checked the fuel level prior to departure. The flight instructor estimated there was a total of 25 gallons of fuel on board.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.