Hughes 369D N103FW

Summary

On 31 July 1999 at about 02:04 local time, a Hughes 369D registered N103FW was involved in an accident near Petersburg, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 July 1999 at 02:04

Classification

Accident

Location

Petersburg, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Petersburg (PSG)

Coordinates

57.0506, -132.6203

Aircraft

Hughes 369D

Registration

N103FW

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC99LA100

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter prior to fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were an inoperative low fuel warning system, and the pilot's improper autorotation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The certificated commercial pilot was returning to the airport. He stated that he knew he was low on fuel, but thought he had enough fuel to return since the low fuel light had not illuminated. He said that while on approach to land at the airport, about 400 feet above the runway, all engine power was lost. He entered an autorotation, flared the helicopter about five feet above the runway, and touched down on the runway edge. The pilot said that as the helicopter touched down, the left skid assembly collapsed, and the helicopter rolled over to the left. A pilot-rated witness observed the helicopter enter an autorotation to the runway, and while still about 50 feet above the runway, the accident pilot flared, and the rotor rpm decayed rapidly. He said that the helicopter landed hard on the left skid, which collapsed the left skid, and the helicopter rolled over on its left side. An FAA inspector that examined the helicopter stated that the fuel quantity indicator read 'zero,' and that the fuel low indicator light was not illuminated. He said that when the 'press to test' feature on the warning light was used, the light then illuminated. He added that an inspection of the helicopter's fuel cell revealed about one pint of fuel remaining. The McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) 500D pilot operating handbook, Emergency and Malfunctions Procedures section, states: 'CAUTION: Never use the FUEL LEVEL LOW light as a working indication of fuel quantity.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.